LGBTQ+ Inclusion experts
We are Equality Institute.
Yet, in the U.S., LGBTQ+ people have no federal protections from discrimination. There is no equality.
This causes trust issues — especially among the 20% of Gen Z who identify as LGBTQ+.
We help private and public organizations bridge this gap to ensure LGBTQ+ employees and clients — and their millions of allies — trust you and stick around.
How we help YOU BUILD TRUST
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Our proprietary Inclusive 360 process identifies gaps for LGBTQ+ inclusion across all functions and provides an actionable, comprehensive report so you can quickly prioritize how to close those gaps across functions simultaneously. We also provide expert transgender inclusion consulting.
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For Pride month and beyond, we offer a diverse selection of workshops and facilitators. From our version of LGBTQ and Trans 101s, to history, trivia, LGBTQ+ professional development, we have you covered with upbeat, practical workshops for the community and allies alike. Training of trainers also available.
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Our modern LGBTQ+ eLearning can be deployed at scale on your LMS or hosted on ours. Learn LGBTQ+ workplace allyship with specific tracks for employees, managers, and client-facing team members in relatable, real-life scenes.
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Want to tell the world how LGBTQ+ inclusive your organization is? Take our certificate courses for those in the weddings, travel, meetings, and other industries. Earn the Equality Institute Certified LGBTQ+ Inclusive badge for your website and marketing materials.
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We support LGBTQ+ leaders and employee resource groups (ERGs) through monthly coach-on-call and retainer support.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion Training Near You
At The Equality Institute, we deliver LGBTQ+ inclusion training and consulting services nationwide and beyond borders — both virtually and in person. Our facilitators have partnered with organizations in Chicago, New York City, Houston, Atlanta, Mexico City, and beyond, helping teams build cultures of trust, respect, and belonging.
If your organization is based in Illinois, California, Texas, Florida, or New York, our workshops can be tailored to local workplace laws and community context, ensuring relevance and impact wherever your team is.
Through our proprietary ARC Method®, we provide practical tools that your teams can apply immediately, ensuring every client interaction is inclusive, respectful, and effective.
Select workshops available in Spanish.
Trusted Partner for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Workplaces
From Fortune 500 companies to small nonprofits, we’ve helped clients across financial services, banking, higher education, tech, and hospitality strengthen LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity. We’ve even worked with some states and counties. Whether you’re located in the Midwest, the East Coast, or the Pacific Northwest, our programs provide a practical roadmap for transforming good intentions into measurable outcomes.
Customized LGBTQ+ Inclusion Programs
Our LGBTQ+ inclusion consulting includes:
Leadership development workshops
Policy and benefits audits
Employee resource group (ERG) strategy
Inclusive communication and marketing training
eLearning certification programs
We work closely with HR, DEI, and learning teams to design programs that align with your organization’s culture, values, and goals — wherever you are in the U.S.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion Services:
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of LGBTQ+ inclusion services do you offer?
Equality Institute provides a full suite of LGBTQ+ inclusion services, including workshops and keynotes, policy and benefits audits, organizational assessments, eLearning and certification programs, and executive advising. Every engagement is customized to your culture, workforce, and business goals.
How do LGBTQ+ inclusion consulting and training differ?
Training builds awareness and practical skills — it’s how people learn to act with confidence. Consulting creates the systems and accountability to make that learning stick. Together, they move your organization from good intentions to measurable change.
Does your LGBTQ+ Organizational Assessment meet the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index standards?
Yes, in fact our assessment exceeds the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index standards for a 100 score. We also exceed the UN Standards for Business Conduct.
Do you provide transgender inclusion consulting services?
Yes. Our transgender inclusion consulting helps organizations build policies, practices, and cultures that affirm gender diversity. We support HR, DEI, and leadership teams on everything from gender transition guidelines and inclusive benefits reviews to communications coaching and team education.
Whether you’re refining policy language, supporting a transitioning employee, or addressing team discomfort, we help you navigate with clarity, compassion, and compliance.
Do you work with organizations outside the U.S.?
Yes. While we’re headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, we serve clients across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific through both virtual and in-person partnerships.
How do you measure the impact of LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives?
We start with data — employee feedback, engagement surveys, and policy reviews — then track progress through behavior change, retention, and cultural indicators. Our goal is always meaningful, measurable impact.
What makes Equality Institute different from other firms?
We combine research-backed strategy with real-world humanity. Our proprietary ARC Method® (Ask, Respect, Connect) helps leaders navigate diverse relationships without fear, fumbles, or fluff. We make inclusion practical, not performative.
Do you offer executive or board advising?
Yes. We partner with executives and boards to build trust, model inclusive leadership, and align DEI strategy with business performance. Advisory relationships typically run 3–6 months and include one-on-one coaching, communication support, and progress reporting.
What if our organization already has a program?
Perfect. We can complement your existing efforts by providing specialized LGBTQ+ expertise, communication frameworks, and program assessments to strengthen what’s already working.
Are your services confidential?
Always. We often sign an NDA to create a psychologically safe, judgment-free space for leaders and teams to learn, question, and grow. Any assessment data or internal discussions remain strictly confidential.
Do you offer certification or eLearning options?
Yes. Our LGBTQ+ Inclusion Certification Program and LGBTQ+ Workplace Allyship eLearning modules allow organizations to train large teams at scale. Courses can be licensed annually and customized for your internal learning platform.
What size organizations do you work with?
From small nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, we design scalable solutions for teams of all sizes. Whether you’re a 20-person startup in Austin or a multinational firm in New York City, we meet you where you are.
How do we get started?
Schedule a short discovery call. We’ll learn about your goals, challenges, and current inclusion efforts, then design a right-sized solution that fits your budget and desired outcomes.