Assessing the relationship between outness at work and stigma consciousness among LGB workers in the Midwest and the resulting implications for counselors Trevor G. Gates* State University of New York, Brockport, NY, USA (Received 28 August 2013; accepted 21 January 2014) Employment discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals is a significant social problem. In a variety of occupational settings, LGB workers experience employment-based harassment and discrimination. Work is an important aspect of life for the majority of the population, yet many LGB workers are prevented from fully participating in job-related activities and are inhibited from career advancement opportunities due to existing social stigmas. This problem contributes to a stigma consciousness among LGB workers and affects their decision to be “out” at work. This descriptive study examines the experiences of stigma conscious- ness and outness among 215 LGB people living in a large Midwest city. The findings suggest a marginal relationship between outness and stigma consciousness; however, the results indicate the need for a change in social policy and the importance of the counseling practice in combating stigma consciousness, which are explored here. Keywords: stigma consciousness; outness; employment; LGB workers; counseling psychology My most recent employment was at a small firm. The employees were friendly to me at first, but when I began to mention in general conversation about my partner (e.g. “my part- ner and I saw that movie”), I began to notice a coldness set into my relationships with my co-workers. About two months later, I was terminated. My employer gave the excuse that I was not “the right fit” for her company. – Anonymous survey participant My workplace is great. I am able to be open and I am appreciated for my unique perspec- tives and skills by my co-workers and boss. – Anonymous survey participant Employment discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people is a complicated social justice problem. The Williams Institute, a sexual orientation law and public policy think tank, estimates that between 16 and 43% of LGB individuals report experiencing employment discrimination (Badgett, Lau, Sears, & Ho, 2007). *Email: tgates@brockport.edu © 2014 Taylor & Francis Counselling Psychology Quarterly , 2014 Vol. 27, No. 3, 264–276, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2014.886998 Downloaded by [Buffalo State ] at 10:31 16 May 2015