85% of LGBTQ+ professionals have faced at least one significant career barrier due to their identity.
Common challenges include:
- Lack of role models: 70% cited a lack of LGBTQ+ representation in leadership.
- Hostile or uncomfortable workplaces: Half experienced environments where being out wasn’t safe or supported.
- Limited HR support: 42% felt their employer didn’t back them when issues arose.
- Bias in hiring: 93% suspected bias in recruitment or promotion processes.
- Intersectionality matters: Barriers multiply for those who are trans, disabled, from ethnic minorities, or working-class backgrounds.
These experiences often lead talented professionals to “play it safe” — choosing roles or employers where they feel merely secure, not necessarily fulfilled.
Pride in Leadership surveyed over 1,000 LGBTQ+ professionals across the UK and reveal a powerful truth: while progress has been made, LGBTQ+ candidates still face deep-rooted barriers to career progression – and recruiters are in a unique position to help change that.
Castle Peak support this work and have written a blog with our recommendations.