Workplace discrimination can make it very difficult to go to work. No one wants to spend all day every day in an environment where they’re afraid of getting bullied or worse. And you don’t have to. If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community and you’re being discriminated against at work, you need to know that you have legal protections against discrimination and bullying.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act says that no employer can discriminate against their employees because of race, religion, sex, or national origin. But the Supreme Court has expanded that and ruled that the protections of Title VII also protect people from discrimination based on gender, identity, and orientation. Your employer cannot legally discriminate against you or harass you.

If you’re experiencing discrimination at work, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC was formed to investigate claims of workplace discrimination. The EEOC also has an agreement with 44 states to share information with the state labor authorities. If you live in one of those 44 states and you file an EEOC complaint, the state will also get a copy of that complaint and any supporting evidence you submit.

Examples of workplace discrimination common to LGBTQ+ workers include:
• Not getting raises or promotions your peers regularly receive
• Targeted bullying or harassment, including “jokes,” name-calling, and other harassment
• Having your hours cut or your schedule changed while it doesn’t happen to straight colleagues
• Coworkers refusing to use your correct name or pronouns on purpose

Filing a workplace discrimination claim: before filing with the EEOC, raise your concerns with your boss and HR in case they’re unaware. Keep a detailed log of each incident — date, who was involved, and what happened. If your employer doesn’t act after seeing that record, you can file a complaint directly through the EEOC’s website.