In 2017, we’ve taken several strides to support our LGBTQ employees. And since October is LGBTQ History Month, it seems like a terrific time to share what we’re doing.
At Citrix, we know it’s our people that make us special. Our inclusive culture fuels innovation and provides a healthy mix of perspectives and ways of working.
Why October is LGBTQ History Month
There are two answers:
- October 11 is National Coming Out Day. It began in 1994 because, at the time, most people didn’t think they knew any LGBTQ people. But they were wrong, as almost everybody does, whether they know it or not. The act of “coming out” put a face on and a name to the struggle for LGBTQ acceptance.
- The first March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Sexual Equal Rights and Liberation occurred in October 1979.
How Citrix supported LGBTQ employees in 2017
- In December — for the first time ever — Citrix participated in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index and we were awarded a perfect score (100%), earning the distinction of a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ equality.
- In June, we raised the Pride Flag at our Fort Lauderdale, Raleigh and Santa Clara offices in celebration of Pride Month.
- We rolled out a Gender Transition Plan in support of transgender and gender non-conforming Citrix employees the support them, their co-workers, managers and others who may be involved in a workplace gender transition.
- In July, Citrix took a leadership role in supporting LGBTQ rights by signing on to an Amicus Brief (Zarda v. Altitude Express) with 49 other U.S. companies, which asked the U.S. Court of Appeals to look at the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (bans employment discrimination on the basis of sex) to also include discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- And just this month, Citrix took another leadership role by signing onto another Title VII Amicus Brief (Evans v. Georgia Regional Hospital), joining more than 70 other U.S employers. This one is similar to the one we signed onto in July, but it includes Florida, Georgia and Alabama, as well.
- Our Procurement team launched a Supplier Diversity program to expand the business opportunities available to small, minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, disability-owned, and LGBT-owned businesses.
- Citrix joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
Learn more about Diversity and Inclusion and the LGBTQ Alliance (an Employee Resource Group focused on providing support and networking to LGBTQ employees at Citrix). You can also post any comments or questions you have in the Comments section below.
