If you’re LGBTQIA*, coming out to your employers, coworkers, supervisors, and other staff on your team is definitely a personal choice. Some LGBTQIA* people may never feel the need to bring it up, for whatever reason. It may not ever come up in conversation or become an issue. However, many people feel the need to be honest about themselves, or may have specific reasons that require them to be honest – for example, if a transgender employee is facing discrimination for this reason by another coworker, and needs to tell their supervisor, or if a person in a same-sex relationship wants to invite their significant other to a work get-together.

Coming out at work is tricky business, because LGBTQIA* individuals still face workplace discrimination despite all of the community’s recent triumphs. Even in states, cities or counties where discrimination for reasons of sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal, employers can find other reasons to fire an employee to hide behind the truth: discrimination.

If you’re like me, and you want to enter a professional workforce, but you’re really looking to work long-term at a place where, if there’s a work party, you can invite your same-sex spouse, or if you mention your wife and kids, nobody throws up their arms, these tips are for you:

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