The National LGBTI+ Alliance launched this Tuesday (12), in Brasília, the LGBTI+ Employability Manual, so that this public can use self-knowledge to understand the work environment and thus achieve professional goals.
THE document also provides information on the process of entering the world of work, practical tips on formal education, professional courses, entrepreneurship, on how to use a virtual platform focused on job offers such as LinkedIn, rights of the LGBTI+ population at work, guidance on protection against gender discrimination and sexual orientation in the corporate environment, in addition to concepts on LGBTI+ issues.
The acronym is short for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite, transsexual woman, trans man and intersex. And the “+” sign is used to recognize the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities that are part of the community.
The launch was made on opening of the 1st LGBTI+ Employability Seminar this Tuesday and which runs until Thursday (14). The initiative aims to debate inclusion projects and practices in the labor market that guarantee more gender and sex diversity.
Debates
The head of the Social Participation and Diversity Advisory of the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), Anatalina Lourenço da Silva, stated that the intersectionality of racism and LGBTphobia has resulted in discrimination in Brazil. “When we debate employability for the black population and focus on black gays, black lesbians and black transsexuals, they are at the tipping point of job insecurity in the country.” And for this reason, the representative of the Ministry of Labor defends quotas for trans people in future public competitions.
The regional Labor attorney, Eduardo Varandas, highlighted that, historically, the agendas that guide discussions related to the rights of the LGBTI+ community, in general, are linked to health issues, such as HIV/AIDS infection and hate crimes. However, the prosecutor points out that the employment agenda and income generation of this group must be considered a priority due to the social value of work.
“It is employability that takes people away from marginality, that inserts them into citizenship, that recovers dignity, that empowers, that feeds self-esteem, that makes them feel useful and that gives them a sense of belonging”, he emphasizes.
The prosecutor reinforces that in the context of hiring, the only element that is accepted as selectivity for hiring is the professional curriculum vitae, the individual’s professional qualifications. “No other character, especially linked to the issue of sexual and gender diversity, should be admitted because it is criminal.”
Ariadne Ribeiro, Equality and Rights officer at the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), denounced discriminatory practices, both in the selection processes for admission to Brazilian companies, during the employment contract and even in the case of promotions in the career, which is prohibited under labor legislation. Ariadne mentioned that transgender people have the legitimate right to be treated according to the gender with which they identify, regardless of undergoing surgical reassignment procedures “It is important that we still fight for less privileged people. And moving forward on all LGBTI issues requires us to recognize the path that still needs to be covered.”
Data
During the event, Regional Labor Attorney Eduardo Varandas mentioned the study by the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Fapesp) which shows that, in 2020, only 13.9% of trans and transvestite women interviewed had formal employment. This percentage increases to 59.4% in the case of trans men.
The director-president of the National LGBTI+ Alliance, Toni Reis, asked the federal government to officially register information on the employability of people from this population group.
“We need to have our data within our country’s employment registry. It is a clear demand. Without data, there are no conditions for creating public policies aimed at the LGBTI+ public.”
Reports
LGBTI citizens can claim their labor rights at the Regional Labor and Employment Superintendence, at the Labor Court, even at the union that represents the category, so that they can adopt the appropriate measures within their responsibilities.
In addition, the worker can forward a complaint to labor inspection bodies, such as the Public Ministry of Labor, through the Regional Labor Attorney’s Offices and the Labor Attorney’s Offices in the municipalities and through the “Pardal MPT – Denúncias” application, which can be downloaded at smartphones.
Event
The 1st LGBTI+ Employability Seminar, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), in the federal capital, is promoted by the National LGBTI+ Alliance, the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT), the Organization International Labor Organization (ILO) and entities representing the LGBTI+ public.
The unprecedented event brings together representatives of public authorities, organized civil society and businesspeople to debate solutions that expand opportunities for inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ public in the job market and represent socioeconomic inclusion.
