Western Digital: Advanced Ally Skills

Thanks for participating in Straight for Equality in the Workplace: Advanced Ally Skills learning session. On this page, you’ll find additional resources to expand you learning — and hopefully help answer any questions that you may have.

Workplace 101 Recap:

• Download the guide to being a straight ally
   
• Download our Equality Literacy 101
   
• Access other Straight for Equality materials

From this session:

• Download the “I’m an ally because…” and “I need an ally because…” postcards
   
• Download the “As a trans ally I will…” postcard
   
• Check out our fantastic photo campaign on Facebook and send us your image to participate!
   
• Access resources from the Straight for Equality Ally Spectrum that match your specific ally needs.
   
• Learn more about other ally-focused efforts in the LGBTQ movement to help with your work.

Resources to help you learn more: 

• 10 things you can do as an ally: Looking for ways to go beyond what was covered in the session? This list may offer some good ideas.
   
• International Laws: Find out what the laws in places around the globe are when it comes to LGBTQ rights and equality. From the International Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Association.
   
• The Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index: Get the report card for corporate America on LGBTQ-inclusive policies. Released annually by the Human Rights Campaign use this report to learn more about where your company stands when it comes to equality. The results may surprise you. You can also use it to inform your purchases and they even have a smartphone ap to help you make choices on the go.
   
• A Workplace Divided: Understanding the Climate for LGBTQ Workers Nationwide: HRC’s third national workplace study over the past decade, shines a light on the often-intangible, nuanced issues in the workplace. This national study is based on data from a probability-based sample of self-identified LGBTQ people (N= 804) with a shorter survey to gauge perceptions and experiences of non-LGBTQ people (N=811). 
   
• Cost of the Closet: The Cost of the Closet surveyed over 800 LGBTQ workers across the country and included an added survey of non-LGBTQ workers.
   
• Out in the World. Securing LGBT Rights in the Global Marketplace: Out in the World was released by the Center for Talent Innovation in January 2016 and analyzes some of the most significant challenges that multinational corporations face in the global marketplace when corporate policy conflicts with anti-LGBTQ laws in the countries where they do business.
   
• Degrees of Equality: Originally conducted to assess the gap between policy change and culture change, this is an extensive assessment of workplace climate. Released in 2009, the Human Rights Campaign worked with Lake Research Partners to conduct focus groups, in depth interviews, and a nationally based survey to collect data. It details the successes and failures of policy change and investigates the actual environments in which LGBTQ people work in each day.
   
• The Power of OUT: There is a fee to access this study, conducted by the Center for Work-Life Policy. It has information about the talent recruitment and retention issues that arise in uninclusive workplaces. It also includes information about innovative programs designed to change workplace culture so LGBTQ employees feel welcome and free to bring their full selves to work.
   
• Straight for Equality Workplace resources: Still need more? Check out our full workplace resource area for even more details on workplace issues, external resources, other learning opportunities, and advanced tools.