Many students have concerns about planning their careers; for some 2SLGBTQ+ students, there may be additional aspects to consider. When choosing your career and looking for work, issues may arise, such as disclosure to employers and co-workers, finding careers that fit with your values and locating employers that are 2SLGBTQ+ friendly.
Read Your Journey: A Career Guide for Trans and Nonbinary Students
It is important to acknowledge the necessity of this resource given the labour market and employment outcomes for trans and nonbinary people. According to the TransPulse project (2015), “28 per cent of trans Ontarians could not get employment references with their current name [...and] 18 per cent were turned down for a job” due to their gender identity and/or expression. Additionally, 17 per cent shared that they have declined a job offer due to concerns around unsafe work environments. These employment barriers can impact trans and nonbinary students at U of T. The TransPulse report states that despite 44 per cent of respondents having a post-secondary or graduate degree, the median income was $15,000 a year for trans-Ontarians. Your Journey recognizes and responds to some of these issues by providing strategies and insights that can support trans and nonbinary students to explore career options, apply for jobs, and navigate the workplace. A PDF version of Your Journey is also available for download.
If you would like to discuss issues related to your career decision-making, our Career Counsellors can help; please make an individual appointment by calling 905-828-5451 or coming into DV 3094. We can help you to understand what is important to you in making your career decision and how to translate that into career options and potential employers.
We also have resources in our Career Library and the e-Book collection. Go to our e-book collection and click on How Can I Navigate Work if I Identify as LGBTQ? You can also find books and binders in the Career Centre library which will have information on issues that concern you and where to get support.
Helpful Websites
Sexual & Gender Diversity Office at the University of Toronto
Information specific to the U of T community, with events, information and links to community resources.
Human Rights Legal Support Centre
The Human Rights Legal Support Centre offers human rights legal services to individuals throughout Ontario who have experienced discrimination contrary to Ontario's Human Rights Code.
Pride at Work
Pride at Work Canada encourages organizations to support authenticity at a corporate level and create workplaces where LGBTQ employees will be more able to be themselves.
Toronto’s Lesbian and Gay Community, listings of services, retail and community groups that are LGBTQ friendly
- Human Rights in Ontario – Gender Identity and Gender Expression
- Venture Out Conference 2020
- Canada’s Top LGBTQ Employers in 2021
- Resources for UTM LGBTQ
Additional Resources
- Human Rights Campaign – Workplace Site (includes transgender-specific resources)
- National Center for Transgender Equality
- National Center for Lesbian Rights (includes legal issues, transgender issues)
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: What You Should Know About EEOC and the Enforcement Protections for LGBTQ Workers
- Out and Equal
- Out for Work
- GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network)
- Out for Undergrad—Conferences for LGBTQ Students
- Out Professionals
- Pride at Work
- Human Rights Campaign
- Top 20 Tips for How Business Can Support Its LGBTQ Workforce
- We Need to do More to Keep LGBTQ Employees From Returning to the Closet
- Coming Out at Work (Human Rights Campaign)
- Coming Out as a Supporter (Human Rights Campaign)
- College Consensus: Ultimate Campus Guide for LGBTQ Students
- 2 Spirited People of the 1st Nations
- Native Youth Sexual Health Network
- Black Queer Youth Collective
- QTBIOC Sauga
- Start Proud
- Out on Bay Conference