WORK OPEN

I'm one of the lucky ones. I've never really ever suffered, or perhaps never been openly aware (I'm generally in my own little world) of discrimination in the workplace because of my sexual orientation.

Perhaps I've always been fortunate, or always put myself in a position of the entrepreneur. But I can't say that I was always open and honest, particularly at the start of my career. But what I can say for certain is that I'm far happier, rounded and productive now that I am out at work.

Yet, everyday I hear horror stories of people; adults; being subject to intense homophobic bullying at work – as if on a school playground. I also hear about those who have been denied a promotion, as their orientation meant they didn't 'fit in'. But worse of all, I hear of the people who lose their self-belief, their confidence and on some occassions even their sanity, because they feel they can't be themselves at work. And this is not in some far-flung homophobic land, but in big corporations in the so-called 'socially-developed' nations like the US and UK.

Yes, the legislation exists to protect, but it can't police - and recent research show that people, particularly those in more traditional industries are chosing to stay in the closet at work. The same research shows an alarming number of people who believe in the 'double whammy' - those who are part of at least two minorities - for example, lesbians (women and gay), gaysians (ethnic and gay) and the gay and physically less able; for them being out at work would just seriously hamper their career prospects.

But every employer knows that a workforce that can be themselves is more productive, right? But employers aside, the community must surely do all they can to help each other be strong and proud in the workplace.

Well, the clever clogs at dot429 has just launched a Stateside campaign in conjunction with shopping giant, Saks Fifth Avenue.

workOpen is designed to celebrate members of the LGBT social network who are open and proud about their sexuality in the workplace. Ultimately, this project’s goal is to reach LGBT professionals with a simple message: progress in business and our professional lives is even more achievable when we are open about our sexual orientation.

The workOPEN campaign features videos by LGBT professionals sharing their inspirational stories about being open about their sexuality in the workplace. Similar to the “It Gets Better” campaign, dot429 hopes that the workOPEN campaign will ignite a viral effect with LGBT professionals and our allies around the world shooting their own videos and sharing their own stories. So look out for more from this campaign - really inspirational stuff.

In the UK, there are a couple of great things already happening - but the most inspirational however is the Diversity Careers Show - the country's largest LGBT careers event now in its 3rd year. This year, the show is sponsored by banking giant Society Generale and supported by the Guardian, Google and the RAF. Here, jobseekers and members of the community can meet those who are out and proud in the world's biggest organisations - expect to see representatives from global banks, law-firms, government, dot-coms, IT and more. Plus there are some inspirational workshops and seminars by Stonewall (the charity that runs the fantastic Diversity Champions programme) - on subjects like being 'Out at the Top' and 'How to use your Diversity to get ahead'.

I applaud these organisations for what they're doing for the community – and I hope that soon, the business landscape will change, so that any body - regardless of their sexual orientation, or race, or ability can be themselves in their workplace.