While technology changes at a breakneck speed, societal changes can take years. So while the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-identified people in Canada - for the most part - have all the rights of their straight neighbours, it is only a recent change to which our society is still adjusting. For LGBT folk, many will be open at home but closeted at their place of employment because of this uncertainty.

For this reason, Pride at Work Canada was founded in 2008 by a group of dedicated individuals who sought to improve the climate of inclusiveness for LGBT employees in the workplace. Their mission is to put the case for LGBT diversity and inclusion on the mainstream business agenda by winning the support of corporate partners, who currently include Telus, RBC, Scotiabank group, Bell Canada, Ernst & Young LLP, Xerox, and IBM among others.

Calvin Campbell, Director (Calgary Lead) for Pride at Work Canada, told me because equal rights are still a novel concept, having an advocacy group for working LGBT folk is a smart idea. "It’s easy to get complacent, having all the legal protections we have, when discrimination will still take place in the workplace...there’s degrees of it that we’ll find in the workplace and everywhere."

Pride at Work Canada was inspired by a similar group in the United States (Out and Equal). However, while Out and Equal may be pushing for rights in the States, here in Canada where equal rights are enshrined in law, Pride at Work decided to focus on motivating businesses and organizations to create a workplace culture that recognizes LGBT employees as an important part of a diverse workforce.

Even with equal rights for LGBT citizens, a need still exists to work towards creating a positive workspace, Calvin tells me. "Especially in Alberta, it seems people don’t always feel comfortable being out in the workplace." Often people feel if they do come out it will limit their career options. Pride at Work Canada is working on changing this attitude. "We want them [LGBT employees] to come out and bring their whole selves to work because that’s when they’re most productive".

Thankfully, for the most part it’s not that companies are homophobic or discriminatory. Unfortunately, what is happening is sometimes that potential allies of LGBT employees are nervous when it comes to speaking up. "They’re worried they might offend someone or say the wrong thing and that prevents them from being involved." This is why Pride at Work Canada recently launched their Ally Campaign.

The campaign, which includes distribution of posters and post cards, is a very simple yet effective way to assist allies. The posters list several points a potential ally can understand and then put into action. The posters also send a clear message that this workplace is striving towards respecting diversity.

The benefits? "When there’s a lot more people who are open about diversity and inclusiveness and equity for everyone...and just having a strong community whether it be in the workplace or your own personal community in the city, then the people who are truly more bigoted and intolerant and prejudiced, they’re not going to be as quick to open their mouths."

As well, although Pride at Work Canada has been in existence for several years, Calgary has recently become the focus for LGBT Rights and workplace diversity, Calvin mentioned. One of the things that came up when the group reviewed their efforts was their successes in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver; with Calgary being identified as an area where work needed to be done.

One of the steps they took was to push the presence of Pride at Work Canada at the Calgary Pride festival this past September. They had some of their executives fly out from Toronto, and also asked major oil companies to participate. "It seems like everyone...is realizing that Alberta is a big growth place, and we want the best talent. For a corporation, that means understanding they need the best talent from ...every community," Calvin said.

I was surprised about the participation of energy companies, because as I told Calvin, on the whole they have been a bit shy in the past when it came to associating with the LGBT community. Calvin told me they are starting to come on-board. At the Pro-Pride event in September, they had Shell, Husky, Enbridge, Imperial, and Trans-Canada show up – among others. Some of them are even starting to build LGBT resource groups in their organizations.

Pride at Work Canada isn’t just another networking club; after attending one of their meetings it is clear they are dedicated to furthering a conversation we, as a society, are having on LGBT rights. By telling others of their challenges, successes, and best practices, the corporate supporters and members are helping to build a more open, welcoming work environment for all of us.