LGBTQIA OUTreach hosts a Workplace Inclusivity Workshop

San Diego State University’s LGBTQIA OUTreach organization on campus hosted a Workplace Inclusivity Workshop on Friday, February 10th, 2017 in Conrad Prebys Student Union theater from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm.

The audience was warmly welcomed by OUTreach’s Co-Vice-Presidents Amber McKinney and Sam Put, before the LGBTQIA organization’s Co-Advisors, Silvia Barragan and David Engstrom were honored and appreciated for supporting the imperative event on campus.

Sergeant Daniel Meyer, San Diego Police Department’s LGBT liaison for six years shared an overview of the department’s small agency for supporting the eighth largest city in our nation and yet making it the safest large city in our country. Reflecting on how the SDPD is the nation’s leader in community relations, Sgt. Meyer articulated the plethora of relationships and collaborations of the agency’s engagement. With San Diego’s 1.3 million residents, it holds the largest military population in the country.

SDPD Community Outreach – Officers for each community
LGBT Community Liaison
Trans Community Liaison
Latino Community Liaison
African-American Community Liaison
Jewish Community Liaison
Middle-Eastern Community Liaison
Pan-Asian Community Liaison
Disabled Community Liaison

Reflecting on his role as an LGBT Liaison, Sgt. Meyer shared his sexual orientation as a gay man. He reported being consistently and tremendously supported by his fellow officers and agency.

Officer Christine Garcia, San Diego Police Department’s first openly trans officer has been a LGBT liaison officer for a year. Sharing her story of transition in July 2015, Officer Garcia was inspired by the warm, welcoming, supportive environment in her agency. Until Officer Garcia’s transition, she lived as a man in public and woman in private for thirty-one years.

Reflecting on TCOPS – Transgender Community of Police and Sheriff, Officer Garcia shared about the peer support network for trans law enforcement and support officers.

Training provided by Sgt. Meyer and Officer Garcia with the LGBT Center include trainings for in-house transgender sensitivity training, active duty officers, bulletins for educating officers in correct terminology, and guidelines for interact with the LGBTQIA community. Officer Christine Garcia provides additional training with the Department of Justice - County Regional Academic training for civilians.

Being gender non-binary or transgender is covered under HIPAA and officers don't need to come out to their Police Chief.

The offices ensured the audience that conversations with them will be confidential, unless the situation falls under safety mandated reporting rules. The officers can speak with school officials or community members as well. Victims can go to the LGBT Center on Normal Street, a safe place to contact Officer Garcia or Sgt. Meyer for further assistance.

Should individuals be undocumented, they confirmed the San Diego Police Department is not affiliated with federal agencies, thus, they will not and cannot ask if an individual is undocumented.

For questions, please contact Officer Garcia and/or Sgt. Meyer.

An engaging workplace rights presentation by Aubrey Gallien, Director of Marketing at Catalyst highlighted rights and momentum across our nation for the LGBTQIA community. Ms. Gallien shared the Mission – Accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion and Vision – Changing workplaces. Changing lives with her uplifting presentation on LGBTQ & You @ Work.

Reflecting on the rights across our nation for the LGBTQ community, Ms. Gallien suggest individuals research organizations through the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
http://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index and to see present legislation

http://www.hrc.org/campaigns/2...-legislative-session. One will see what companies have trans policies and workplaces are rated on LGBTQIA+ equality.

During the job search, look for inclusion and diversity on their website. There is a Network of support inclusive of;
* Out and Equal – workplace advocates
* Workplace Pride – International platform for LGBT inclusion @ work
* Linkedin – Connect with other LGBTQ folks and organizations that are safe

Should an individual choose to transition in workplace, make sure you're covered by Human Relations department – name change, etc. On average, need 10 positive interactions to feel comfortable coming out.

Sharing recent statistics, Audrey denoted;

48% of people feel able to be open at all about their sexuality at work
29% believe coming out at work will definitely/probably limit their career progression
13% report being confident that coming out fully will not hurt their career
Employee engagement suffers by up to 30% due to unwelcoming environments

Four inclusive communication skills were articulated by Audrey.
1. Demonstrate vulnerability
2. Self-disclose
3. Suspend judgement
4. Inquire across differences