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There’s a lack of representation in the tech industry, with only about 3% of the tech workforce openly identifying as LGBTQ+, according to . This underrepresentation goes all the way to the leadership level, leaving a lack of leaders, mentors and role models to pave the way for other LGBTQ+ tech workers.

A focusing on LGBTQ+ inclusion at work found that a third of respondents said they were looking to make a career move to a more inclusive employer, and only 35% said their company demonstrates a commitment to LGBTQ+ rights internally or externally. The report also found 39% said they feared they’d be treated differently if they were open about their sexual orientation, and 46% said the same about gender identity. Additional barriers to being out at work include concerns of discrimination or harassment (32%), fears surrounding personal safety (26%), and concerns of not being treated with respect (30%).

All of this points to issues in the tech industry surrounding welcoming and inclusive work environments for LGBTQ+ employees. However, despite the industry lagging behind in equality, here are several organizations committed to equality by creating communities and offering support for underrepresented LGBTQ+ tech workers.

Lesbians Who Tech

’s  50,0000 members include women as well as nonbinary, trans, and gender nonconforming individuals. The organization aims to connect LGBTQ+ tech workers and create more visibility for queer, female, trans, GNC, and POC leaders in the industry. The group hosts virtual and in-person events, including Pride events during every June. LWT also offers the Edie Windsor Coding scholarship, which grants scholarships to LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary tech workers to help kickstart their technology careers.

LGBTQ in Technology Slack

The  is a safe space for people to chat, support one another, and connect virtually over a moderated Slack channel. It’s a great way to casually connect with other tech-minded LGBTQ+ individuals in a low-pressure environment.

LGBT Tech

 offers programs and resources to support LGBTQ+ communities, and works to educate organizations and policy makers on the unique needs LGBTQ+ individuals face in tech. LGBT Tech conducts research on individual experience with technology and the industry, and works at the national, state, and grassroots level on programs and policy informed by research. The organization also offers resources to members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies; programs that bring technology to homeless, isolated, and disadvantaged LGBTQ+ people across the country; and a program dedicated to motivating LGBTQ+ youth and young adults interested in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics fields.

Maven Youth

Nonprofit  is dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth to network, organize, and educate for social change through technology and the tech sector. It provides a safe space for ages 14-24 across the country by offering summer camps, a youth leadership council, workshops, apprenticeships, leadership retreats, hackathons, and networking experiences. The organization also helps young members explore various careers in tech, build skills, and develop their speaking, presenting, teaching, and mentorship skills through its Tech Career Readiness program.

Out for Undergrad (O4U) Digital

 is a nonprofit focusing on empowering LGBTQ+ adults and guiding them through their careers. For students hoping to embark on a path in tech, it offers the O4U Digital conference, which brings together students and corporate recruiters for professional development, mentorship, networking, and recruiting. The conferences are free for students since costs are covered by corporate sponsors who get to connect with a new talent pool. The conference also includes panels and sessions on how to prepare for interviews, and how to succeed at several tech careers such as product manager, developer, strategist, data scientist, UX/UI designer, and more.

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)

 is a nonprofit professional organization for LGBTQ+ people in the STEM community. It was born after IBM sponsored a focus group in 2005 at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters in Washington, D.C., as a part of the Out for Work conference. The meeting resulted in students developing an organization that supports LGBTQ+ students in STEM. Now, oSTEM has grown to over 100 student chapters at colleges and universities across the US and abroad, as well as professional chapters. All chapters organize networking tools and events to help find mentorship and job recruiting opportunities.

Out in Tech

 has 16 chapters with 40,000 members and touts itself as the world’s largest nonprofit community of LGBTQ+ tech leaders. The purpose of Out in Tech is to create opportunities for members to advance careers, grow networks, and leverage tech for social change. The organization also offers a mentorship program for LGBTQ+ youth aged 17-24, pairing members with a mentee to help them learn technical and professional skills. The organization’s largest event is the Out in Tech Leadership Institute, a cross-company cohort-based gathering of 500 peers to hone leadership styles and advance careers.

Out to Innovate (formerly NOGLSTP)

, formerly known as the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP), is an inclusive nonprofit for LGBTQ+ people in STEM. Out to Innovate offers programs to empower through education, advocacy, professional development, networking, and peer support. It also offers networking for members who attend professional society meetings, as well as workshops and professional development opportunities through the organization’s mentoring program, career services connections, and biannual Out to Innovate Career Summit.

Pride in STEM

 is a charitable trust run by an independent group of LGBTQ+ scientists and engineers based in the US and UK that supports the LGBTQ+ tech community through events and activities. Events feature speakers and networking sessions that help break down barriers between those who do STEM work and people interested in it, while also highlighting the positive and negative aspects of being an underrepresented group in STEM.

Queer Design Club

The  is a global community for LGBTQ+ graphic, product, and UX/UI designers, as well as developers and digital illustrators. There’s a board where users can post social media profiles, location, portfolios, and short résumés of skills and expertise. And companies can post relevant job openings on another board, which serves as a recruiting resource for employers who can scan profiles to find potential candidates. The group also has a Slack channel where members can network and build a strong community for LGBTQ+ designers.

QueerJS

is a meetup series featuring LBGTQ+ speakers at scheduled in-person and online events around the world. It’s a chance for queer technologists to network and hear from other queer leaders in the industry. Or, if you feel you have a story to share about your experiences in the tech industry, you can send in a proposal for a chance to speak at a future event. The group also has a discord channel where members can collaborate, coordinate events, and connect with members globally.  

QueerTech

is a nonprofit supporting the LGBTQ+ tech community through events, meetups, skills development, and leadership programs, and by working directly with companies to help them break down barriers to create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ workers. The organization offers a leadership program to help empower and connect LGBTQ+ leaders in tech, virtual career fairs to find LGBTQ+ friendly employers, and a program through their QT Academy that helps queer students build tech-related skills.

Start Out

 aims to increase the number, diversity, and impact of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and amplify their stories to drive the economic empowerment of the community. The organization was started in 2009 to combat discrimination in the business world, and to promote LGBTQ+ equality, especially when it comes to providing equal access to key resources needed to advance business initiatives and entrepreneurial ventures. Start Out hosts events for entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and products, and funds LGBTQ+ research, regularly showcasing accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals in tech. 

TransTech Social Enterprises

 is a co-learning and co-working community, and incubator for LGBTQ+ talent, with a focus on the transgender community. TransTech offers trainings and meetup locations for members to develop skills and connect with other LGBTQ+ tech people. Membership is free and gives access to educational and career track-specific workshops, and professional equipment in the Chicago co-share working space. TransTech also offers opportunities for on-the-job training and mentorship connections. 

Unicorns in Tech

 was started in 2014 in Berlin, Germany, as a small network of queer people working in the tech industry. It’s since grown to more than 4,000 global members. The goal of Unicorns in Tech is to foster a safe space for the LGBTQ+ tech community, with a mix of in-person and online events. The group also helps bring together talent, companies, and organizations working toward a diverse and inclusive corporate culture.

More on inclusivity in IT:

• Out in IT: A work in progress for the LGBTQ+ community
• Changing the equation on LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion
• How IT leaders can cultivate an LGBTQ-friendly workplace
• LGBTQ IT exec: Why inclusion is critical to corporate culture