1.
What is your email? (optional - list if you're interested in being part of your school's ally program. Just put n/a if you would prefer not to add your email.)
2.
What company/university are you affiliated with?
3.
In how many US states can LGBT people be legally fired or evicted because of their sexual orientation?
Correct Answer
B. 29 states
Explanation
No federal law prevents employment or housing discrimination based on sexual orientation, and state laws only protect them in 21 states.
More info at the Movement Advancement Project: http://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/employment_non_discrimination_laws and http://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/housing_non_discrimination_laws
4.
What percentage of LGBT people are reported to be “in the closet” at work?
Correct Answer
C. 48%
Explanation
A 2011 survey by the Center for Work-Life Policy revealed that almost half of LGBT people don't feel comfortable enough to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity at work. More info: https://www.worklifepolicy.org/documents/CWLP%20-%20LGBT%20-%20Final%206.21.11.pdf
5.
How does being closeted at work affect employee productivity?
Correct Answer
C. Employees are less productive because they spend brainpower navigating pronouns and gender-specific language.
Explanation
Diversity experts including the folks at Diversity Best Practices have documented how employees are less productive (some internal studies say up to 30-40%) when they don't bring their whole selves to work, due to the physical and emotional energy consumed by covering their true identities. This disadvantage far outweighs any perceived advantages of avoiding discrimination or conversation about sexuality. More info: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andres-t-tapia/coming-out-is-about-more-than-being-lgbt_b_1956113.html
6.
What percentage of the US voters support employment non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity?
Correct Answer
C. 73%
Explanation
A 2011 Center for American Progress poll revealed that almost 3/4 of voters support protection for LGBT people from workplace discrimination, across all political affiliations, religions, and ages. More info: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/news/2011/06/02/9716/polls-show-huge-public-support-for-gay-and-transgender-workplace-protections/
7.
How much more or less likely are male job applicants who are openly gay on their resumes to get an interview than their straight counterparts?
Correct Answer
D. 40% less likely
Explanation
A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Sociology showed that a male resume mentioning involvement in a gay college campus organization was 40% less likely to gain an interview than an identical one mentioning involvement in a "progressive and socialist alliance." More info: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/04/gay-resume-study_n_994098.html
8.
What percentage of transgender people report having personally experienced harassment or mistreatment on the job?
Correct Answer
D. 90%
Explanation
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey revealed that 90% of transgender people experience at least one incident of harassment or mistreatment at work. More info: http://www.thetaskforce.org/reports_and_research/ntds
9.
What is the estimated buying power of the LGBT community in the United States?
Correct Answer
D. $790 billion
Explanation
A 2012 analysis by Witeck-Combs Communications estimates the buying power of the LGBT adult population at $790B. More info: http://www.echelonmagazine.com/index.php?id=2597
10.
How many U.S. federal rights are afforded to straight couples, but denied to same-sex couples?
Correct Answer
E. More than 1,000
Explanation
There are 1,138 benefits, rights and protections provided on the basis of marital status by American federal law. Same-sex couples are denied these because their unions are not recognized as marriages by the federal government. More info:: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/an-overview-of-federal-rights-and-protections-granted-to-married-couples
11.
Over the course of a lifetime, how much can legal inequalities in areas like health insurance and social security cost same-sex couples?
Correct Answer
C. Up to $247,000
Explanation
The New York Times in 2009 calculated the potential costs and benefits over a lifetime to same-sex couples who do not have federal marital status, estimating the worst-case scenario at $468k. More info: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/your-money/03money.html
12.
If you wanted to get more information on LGBT facts, issues, and news, do you know of resources (besides google) that you could use? (This question is not graded.)
Explanation
Talk to your ally leader and/or LGBT club leaders to get more information on resources within your community, and check out www.friendfactor.org for more info, facts, and current events.
13.
Why are allies important for supporting the LGBT community? Check all that apply.
Correct Answer(s)
A. LGBT people only represent a small portion (4%) of the US population
B. Allies can reach groups of people who might not know or listen to an LGBT person
D. LGBT people feel more comfortable when they know who their supporters are in their community
Explanation
Allies are important for many reasons, including: straight people represent the vast majority of the US population and therefore have the capability to build a mainstream movement; allies can show a critical mass of support to LGBT people within their workplace and school communities; and some people may be more likely to listen to a straight person talk about LGBT issues than an LGBT person themself. However, allies can be targeted for their views and don't necessarily help the movement by being "louder". One thing that is clear is that allies have a key role to play in the movement for LGBT inclusion.
14.
What can you do to be a strong ally of the LGBT community? Check all that apply.
Correct Answer(s)
A. Use gender neutral terms like partner, spouse, or significant other in your everyday language.
B. Put a rainbow sticker on your locker, laptop or bookbag.
D. Start a conversation with your team or social group about an LGBT current event.
F. Show up to an LGBT club meeting.
Explanation
Changing your language, using visible identifiers, starting conversations, and showing up are all great ways to be a strong ally. Approaching people who may be in the closet is not a great way to be supportive because it reveals your own stereotypes and may make a person feel uncomfortable; every LGBT person comes out at their own pace. On the other hand, ignoring a negative comment or anti-gay joke implies accepting that those are okay things to say, so it is important to speak up rather than stay silent when anti-LGBT language is used.
15.
How do you identify? Check all that apply.
Explanation
This question is asking the respondent to identify their sexual orientation and gender identity. The options provided include a range of identities such as Straight, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, Male, Female, Transgender, Genderqueer, Other, and Prefer not to say. The respondent can select all the options that apply to them, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of their identity.