While attacks on the transgender community through legislation and conservative push-back have made headlines in recent years, the transgender community itself has been making headway in the workplace. Despite loud upheaval from some anti-LGBTQIA+ groups, DEI initiatives have influenced many workplaces to make space for transgender individuals in leadership roles. 

However, despite improvements in workplace equity for the LGBTQIA+ community, there remains a stark lack of representation for transgender individuals in C-suite roles. The transgender community still lives and works under intense scrutiny, pressure, and social stigma, causing a “Rainbow Ceiling” effect that keeps transgender individuals in lower-level positions and negatively affects their self-esteem and willingness to strive for leadership roles. 

While the LGBTQIA+ community has a role to play in increasing visibility and acceptance, the corporate world also has a responsibility to give equal treatment and accessibility to transgender employees who showcase efficacy for leadership roles. 

Positive representation

One hurdle in the way of transgender leadership is the current lack of representation. Essentially, fewer transgender individuals are vying for C-suite positions because there are so few transgender individuals already in C-suite positions, as well as mentors to help guide them into higher positions of leadership.

I transitioned later in life, and I had already reached a high-level position within my company, but there was still a significant fear of coming out as transgender to my employees because I didn’t know any other transgender CEOs. For there to be an eventual shift in the level of representation for transgender individuals in corporate leadership, more mentors must step forward to support talented individuals and show them how it’s done. 

Thankfully, DEI within the corporate sphere is becoming less of an option and more of a given in today’s workplace. This heightened acceptance fosters additional comfort with those seeking to come out as transgender and take a position of leadership within the workplace. 

Advocating for increased representation 

To encourage more transgender individuals to seek high-level positions within their organizations, there must also be a push for advocacy and support within the workplace. According to a survey of over 1,000 transgender employees by Harvard Business Review,  there are several strategies and steps companies can implement to increase transgender inclusion and help trans employees break through the “Rainbow Ceiling” to secure leadership positions.

The first step is to adopt company-wide inclusive policies surrounding considerations such as bathrooms, pronouns, name usage, and dress codes. If employees feel comfortable coming to work as their authentic selves, they will be more likely to be productive and successful in their positions. 

Businesses can also provide benefits that support the medical needs of transgender individuals, just as many other forward-thinking companies have adopted expanded transgender medical care benefits for employees in the wake of unprecedented anti-trans legislation. Companies such as AirBnB, Amazon, and Netflix provide everything from healthcare coverage for gender-affirming care to a “trans liaison” to help people navigate their transitions. 

Lastly, companies should incorporate further DEI training that features trans-specific material. This training can help solidify the company’s mission of inclusion and willingness to promote transgender individuals. 

By taking meaningful steps towards support for the transgender community in the workplace, we can look forward to seeing more leaders emerge and take their place in the C-suite. A commitment to uplifting the transgender community is another step toward greater equity for transgender employees, and can improve the workplace overall.