Reflect on your interest and comfort level about how open you want to be in your professional life about your sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, or LGBTQIA+ community involvement in your personal life. This is a deeply personal decision based on your unique situation, industry, work environment, etc.

Resumes and cover letters are not legal documents. They can reflect your preferred name and pronouns. Most organizations will allow you to use your preferred name for internal communication. However, you will have to provide your legal name for legal processes such as background checks.  If you have any questions, consider speaking with a Human Resource professional at the organization. They are a confidential resource.

It is a personal decision on how you want to navigate professional dress and appearance in professional settings. Here are some Pinterest boards that might help you decide what feels authentic to you:

• Work style "casual"
• Work style "business casual"
• Work style "business professional"
• Non-binary professional dress

Mentors can help you learn about your prospective industries and employers and share how they made important decisions such as when/how/to whom they disclosed their identities in professional settings.

Find mentors by joining online platforms, attending networking events and conferences, and joining LGBTQIA+ professional registered student organizations.

Examples include:

• Out and Equal
• Out for Undergrad
• LGBTQ+ Professional and Student Associations
• Out Professionals

These are organizations that authentically support and promote inclusivity, equality, and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals. These environments create psychologically safe environments for you to feel respected, contribute effectively, and thrive.  

Some clues that an organization strives to be LGBTQIA+ friendly include employee resource groups, non-discrimination policies, inclusive benefits including gender affirming care and support for LGBTQIA+ families, community engagement in partnership with LGBTQIA+ organizations, and engage in continuous improvement of their culture and practices.

• Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index

Research the laws, policies, and culture of an area when considering a move to a new location. Keep in mind that there can be variation within a particular area based on local laws and community attitudes so, if possible, visit the areas before deciding to live there.

• Human Rights Campaign State Scorecards
• International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association : They host a database that provides a unique knowledge base on laws, human rights bodies, advocacy opportunities, and news related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics issues worldwide.

Familiarize yourself with the laws in your state or country regarding discrimination, equal employment opportunities, and protections for gender identity and sexual orientation.

• Lambda Legal
• Transgender Law Center
• ACLU LGBTQ rights