How to Be a Better Transgender Ally in the Workplace

Living an authentic life is an important part of living a healthy life. Humana values authenticity and individuality and is committed to creating an inclusive culture of belonging for our members, patients, employees and communities. 

Too often, transgender people face discrimination, stigma and hostility. We know that allyship with the transgender community is more important than ever. Here are some simple steps you can take to join us in becoming a better ally:

• Learn more about gender identity and expression—gender identity is a person’s internal, personal sense of being male or female, including people who identify as non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, two spirit or another gender identity. Be conscious of your own assumptions and expectations based on gender stereotypes.

• Know that gender identity is independent of sexual orientation—trans people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual or may decline to label their sexual orientation.

• Become aware of stories of people who are transgender on the news, in the media and in history—and share what you learn. Take time to connect the dots between accomplishments of people who are trans and the influence that they have had on their own community, the LGBTQ movement, our understanding of gender and the story of social change.

• Allies can become enthusiastic in their search for knowledge and understanding—respect that your desire to know something does not mean that a person is required to give you an answer.

• Recognize current identity—people should be seen as who they are today in the affirmed gender in which they live. Do not ask about someone’s “past” life or call a person by the wrong gender/pronoun or deadname (previous name).

Interested in working for an organization committed to diversity, equity and inclusion? Visit Careers.Humana.com to learn more about our culture of inclusion and explore open job opportunities