Our team here at Dr. Joti Samra, R.Psych. & Associates and MyWorkplaceHealth have created LGBTQ+ educational resources that include a series of videos and blogs offering a starting place for learning about the LGBTQ+ community, how to be a good LGBTQ+ ally as well as tips on how to create safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ community members. 

Our LGBTQ+ resources are also available as a pdf. Please click on the following link to download a version for distribution: LGBTQ+ Resources

We encourage you to share these resources with friends, families, co-workers, etc. and start the conversation about issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community and the important role you can play in influencing change. 

LGBTQ+ General Knowledge – Educate Yourself

One of the first things to do when attempting to be a better LGBTQ+ ally, or working toward creating a more inviting and inclusive space, is to educate oneself. It can be daunting to know what to do or how to behave when there’s so much we don’t know about a community. Thankfully the internet has a plethora of information to get you started. One of the best places to start when first learning about the LGBTQ+ community is with basic terminology. 

Click here for LGBTQ+ Terminology and How to Use Language Appropriately. 

LGBTQ+ Terminology

Using LGBTQ+ Language Appropriately

These definitions are compiled from a more comprehensive list at It’s Pronounced Metrosexual. It was created in collaboration with The Safe Zone Project as well as a large number of community members. The Safe Zone Project is a great educational resource and we definitely recommend checking it out for yourself. 

How to be a good LGBTQ+ Ally

Once you’re more educated on the LGBTQ+ community, you’ll likely desire to be a better ally. This can feel daunting at first, particularly if you don’t know where to start. Know this feeling is normal and good intentions are always a great place to start. 

Click here to read more about How to be a good LGBTQ+ ally.

Supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace

LGBTQ+ individuals experience discrimination and harassment in the workplace. This directly and negatively impacts LGBTQ+ individuals’ mental health. When talking about workplace mental health we need to pay special attention to groups, like the LGBTQ+ community, to actively work against this treatment to create psychologically safe spaces for all individuals. 

Click here to learn more about Supporting LGBTQ+ people in the workplace.

LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace

Supporting LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Workplace: What can organizations do?

Supporting LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Workplace: What can co-workers do?

Questions Not to ask your LGBTQ+ Co-workers (or others in the LGBTQ+ community)

As we learn about the queer community and the diversity of people within the community, it’s natural to want to know more. The number of recognized identities is growing and it can seem intimidating and complicated to those who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a great thing to be eager and willing to learn, and education is an important part of creating a more safe and inclusive environment for everyone. You might know someone who identifies within the LGBTQ+ community and figure they’re the best person to ask those burning questions. They might be, but they also may not. 

Click here to learn more about asking questions of LGBTQ+ community with particular attention to questions not to ask LGBTQ+ co-workers. 

Gender and Pronouns in the Workplace

Many organizations have come to understand the experiences LGBTQ+ individuals face in the workplace and have created specific policies to be more inclusive. Although creating workplace policies is a great first step, it’s important for these policies to be enacted appropriately by managers as well as employees to create and safe and inclusive workplace for transgender individuals. 

Click here to learn more about gender and pronouns in the workplace and creating a safe and inclusive workplace for transgender individuals.

How To Use Pronouns Correctly

A big part of being a transgender ally and creating safe and inclusive environments for transgender individuals is learning to use pronouns correctly. This is particularly important in workplace settings where individuals have not yet legally changed their name or gender marker on required legal documentation.

Some may find learning to use pronouns, particularly they/them pronouns, daunting but it’s not as hard as you may think – it just takes a bit of practice.

Click here to learn How to Use Pronouns Correctly.

Final Thoughts

Learning to be more LGBTQ+ inclusive can feel daunting because it seems like there’s so much to learn. And for many, the learning process must begin with unlearning ideas about sexuality, gender and the gender binary. But using the correct language including name and pronouns is a huge part of being a good ally and can make a huge difference in LGBTQ+ people’s lives. So, it’s important to educate yourself and continue to practice with inclusive language. 

I hope now that you have some knowledge, speaking with and about the LGBTQ+ community isn’t as scary or as challenging as you originally thought. All it really takes is good intentions and breaking down your assumptions about sexuality and gender.