gay rights human rights

 

There’s a respected HR blogger on the market by the name of Suzanne Lucas. You may know her by the name Evil HR Lady. She’s an early influencer in our community — someone who is admired by dreamers and skeptics alike.

At the beginning of June, she wrote an article that criticized companies for getting political on LinkedIn. One example of politicization? Booz Allen Hamilton changed their LinkedIn banner to show their support of Pride Month.

She writes:

Do you want your firm to be known for your social activism or for your business services and products? Just like clicking that I support “poverty alleviation” and “science and technology” on LinkedIn’s list of things that matter doesn’t indicate that I know anything about how to alleviate poverty through science and technology, changing a logo doesn’t indicate that a company is an expert in this area.

So, just as I’d recommend for people to leave their activism, their religion, and their hobbies off their LinkedIn profiles, I recommend that businesses do the same.

Yeah, no.

The article was published before the Orlando massacre, but even then it struck me as offensive and tone deaf. Supporting LGBTQ rights isn’t considered “social activism” by anybody except the most bigoted and vile members of our society.

Gay rights are civil rights. It’s pretty much a settled debate for corporate professionals under the age of 35.

There is a generational divide between those HR professionals who feel like politics should be discussed at work and those who don’t. But Suzanne Lucas is a seasoned HR expert. She knows the ins and outs of employer branding strategies. In the case of Booz Allen Hamiton and others who display the Pride Flag during the month of June, they’re telling potential candidates that bigots and zealots need not apply.

I think that’s a smart HR strategy.

I admire Suzanne Lucas. She has a smart take on all things HR. But this specific article is gross, and I hope she takes another crack at it. If supporting basic human rights on LinkedIn is wrong, I don’t think your company wants to be right.

Here’s my HR advice: Fly the Pride Flag. Fly it at work, fly it at home, and fly it on LinkedIn. And boldly ignore bad advice from HR ladies who tell you to take it down.

16 Comments

  1. I think it’s definitely a generational divide. Some people will say you can’t talk politics and religion at work, but then very easily discuss their sex life.

    I think they’re much more lax about this stuff in Europe. We need to be more like them.

  2. Thanks for posting this, Laurie. This week I’ve realized how neutral I’ve been because of my HR job and trying to respect those around me by not shouting out my opinion. And, finally, I’ve said to heck with that. For too long, I’ve been on the sidelines and silent. Why do others get to shout their opinion, and I don’t get to share mine? Maybe it’s because I’m in my 40s? Maybe it’s because I’ve grown so tired of status quo? Maybe it’s because I have been a voice-less victim. No more! Gay rights are civil rights. People use guns to kill people. Cars driven by people can also be deadly. I believe in a world where children can grow up in love and feel secure at home, at school and someday in their workplace. No more silence, HR or not.

  3. Laurie – thank you for this! As a boomer HR lady (no French manicure but guilty as charged regarding the Coach bag) with a gay child I appreciate your comments. I am constantly amazed at the number of people in my generation that can’t, or won’t, deal with the changes happening in our world and embrace them. I continue to support and have hope in the younger generations and their ability to accept and include everyone. And, as a long time reader, I have to say your are my favorite blogger and HR speaker/writer. I often send your pieces to my two daughters as so often they mirror my own thoughts and comments about the flawed, frustrating but good at heart business that HR (and life) can be. Keep up the good work!

  4. I am a huge fan of Suzanne Lucas and I get her point, but I think it’s refreshing to see companies who promote and celebrate their inclusive culture. I’m proud to be an alum of both Booz Allen and Target. Two companies who proudly support the LGBT community. Of note, neither company is jumping on the bandwagon post recent events, both have supported the LGBT community for years.

    • I’m a huge fan, too. And I don’t think she’s a bigot. But here’s the thing: she’s wrong.

      The idea that “professionalism” is an objective state-of-being is an illusion. Professionalism is defined by those in power. And when Suzanne was in the workforce at Wyeth, “professionalism” was patriarchal and governed by executives in heteronormative relationships. Those days are over. I’m not sure if she got the memo, if you know what I mean.

      I’m glad you left a comment. It gave me an opportunity to express my respect for Suzanne one more time. I really admire her body of work.

  5. Your article is spot on! Kudos to you! I’ve been in HR since I was 21 years old, now 46…so I’ve been doing this a long time…and I was an “HR Activist” before it was a thing which sometimes didn’t make me too popular! I totally admire Suzanne Lucas, I think she’s great on most, but not on this. Thank you again for writing this!

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