Sexual orientation tends to be less of an influence on how people view diversity in the workplace than it is on how they perceive diversity in the region and in their communities.
In the workplace
Gay, lesbian and bisexual workers surveyed are less likely than heterosexuals to feel their employer is very committed to hiring minorities, advancing minorities and recruiting a diverse workforce. The differences, however, are not as dramatic as those that separate those of white and minority workers.
For example, 51 percent of heterosexuals rate their employers as “very committed” to hiring minorities compared with 44 percent of gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Nearly 42 percent of heterosexual workers say their employers are very committed to promoting minorities, a view help by 36 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual workers.
And the job satisfaction rates of heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual workers in the region are similar.
More significant differences are found on the question of whether a diverse workforce has value. Some 82 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual workers strongly agree that it does while only 67 percent of heterosexual workers feel the same way.
Heterosexual residents are also more than twice as likely as gays, lesbians and bisexuals to say they are tired of hearing and learning about diversity
In the community
Gay, lesbian and bisexual residents are more likely than heterosexuals to have lived outside of southwestern Pennsylvania. But only 55 percent consider the region to be more welcoming while more than 66 percent of heterosexual residents feel southwestern Pennsylvania is more welcoming than other places they’ve called home.
Similarly significant differences emerge on the topic of whether southwestern Pennsylvania embraces diversity. Some 70 percent of heterosexual residents strongly feel that it does, but only 57 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual residents agree.
Heterosexual residents also are more likely to recommend the region as a place to live. Some 61 percent say they definitely would. Fewer than 51 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual residents say they would definitely endorse it, although another 40 percent say they probably would.
To view a PDF version of the report, click here. To view the complete survey data by category, click here. Separate sections of the report are listed below.