October Is LGBTQ+ History Month: Why It Still Matters in 2025

October is here, and with it comes LGBTQ+ History Month, a time that's way more than just another calendar observance. It's a moment to pause, reflect, and remember that the professional world you navigate today exists because countless LGBTQ+ individuals fought, created, and persevered before you.

Maybe you're someone who's been out and proud at work for years. Maybe you're still figuring things out. Or maybe you're an ally wondering how to show up better for your LGBTQ+ colleagues. Wherever you are in your journey, this month matters. Here's why.

The Stories That Shaped Your Workplace

When Rodney Wilson created LGBTQ+ History Month in 1994, he was a high school teacher in Missouri who became the first openly gay educator in his district. Think about that courage for a moment. He didn't just come out, he created an entire month dedicated to making sure future generations would know the stories that had been erased or forgotten.

Today's theme, "Social Change and Activism," reminds us that progress in the workplace didn't happen overnight. The diversity and inclusion policies at your company? The anti-discrimination protections? The employee resource groups? These exist because activists, professionals, and everyday people decided that change was worth the risk.

Every time you walk into a workplace where you can be authentically yourself, or even where you feel safe working toward that authenticity, you're benefiting from decades of quiet revolutionaries. LGBTQ+ professionals who chose visibility when it was dangerous. Who filed lawsuits when they were fired for who they loved. Who started companies when others wouldn't hire them.

Why Professional Belonging Still Requires Intention

Let's be honest about where we are in 2025. Yes, there's been incredible progress. Many companies now have comprehensive LGBTQ+ policies, and you might work somewhere that genuinely celebrates diversity. But belonging, real belonging, isn't automatic just because the policies exist.

You know this if you've ever:

• Felt the need to carefully edit stories about your weekend

• Wondered whether mentioning your partner would affect your promotion chances

• Navigated the exhausting dance of being "professional" while staying true to yourself

• Questioned whether your authentic self is welcome in leadership spaces

This month reminds us that creating truly inclusive workplaces is ongoing work. It's not something we achieve once and then move on from. It requires intention, awareness, and yes: courage from all of us.

Reflection Questions for This Month

Whether you're LGBTQ+ or an ally, October offers space for meaningful reflection. Consider these questions as you move through your professional life this month:

For LGBTQ+ professionals:

• What would change if you brought more of your authentic self to work?

• Which LGBTQ+ trailblazers in your field inspire you?

• How can you support other LGBTQ+ colleagues, especially those earlier in their careers?

For allies:

• How do you actively create psychological safety for LGBTQ+ team members?

• When was the last time you examined your assumptions about professional "norms"?

• What would it look like to use your privilege to advocate for inclusive policies?

These aren't easy questions, and that's the point. Growth rarely happens in comfort zones.

Simple Ways to Honor LGBTQ+ Stories at Work

You don't need to organize a company-wide celebration (though kudos if you do). Small, intentional actions can create ripples of positive change:

Share a story. Mention an LGBTQ+ professional who's influenced your field during a team meeting. It could be Sally Ride's contributions to space exploration, or how Martina Navratilova redefined athletic excellence, or the way authors like James Baldwin shaped our understanding of social justice.

Amplify voices. When you're in meetings, notice who's speaking and who isn't. Make space for LGBTQ+ colleagues to share their perspectives, especially on topics where their lived experience adds valuable insight.

Question "standard" practices. Does your company's parental leave policy assume traditional family structures? Do networking events always happen at venues that feel welcoming to everyone? Small observations can lead to meaningful policy discussions.

Practice inclusive language. Instead of "ladies and gentlemen," try "everyone" or "team." Ask about pronouns naturally. Use "partner" instead of assuming "husband" or "wife." These shifts signal that all relationships and identities matter.

The Ongoing Need for Safe Workplaces

Here's what makes LGBTQ+ History Month particularly relevant in 2025: the work isn't finished. Recent legislation targeting LGBTQ+ rights reminds us that progress isn't linear. Workplace protections that felt secure can shift with political changes. The psychological safety that LGBTQ+ employees need to thrive requires active maintenance.

Creating safe workplaces means:

• Consistent advocacy, not just during designated months

• Policy protection that goes beyond basic legal requirements

• Cultural change that makes inclusion feel natural, not forced

• Leadership commitment that shows up in budget allocation and strategic planning

If you're in a position of influence: whether you're managing a team of two or leading a company of thousands: your actions during this month (and beyond) matter enormously. LGBTQ+ employees are watching to see if inclusion is just corporate speak or if it's backed by genuine commitment to their success and wellbeing.

National Coming Out Day and Professional Courage

October 11th is National Coming Out Day, and while not everyone is in a position to come out at work, the day invites us all to consider what professional courage looks like. Maybe it's:

• An LGBTQ+ employee deciding to put their partner's photo on their desk

• A straight ally speaking up when someone makes an offhand comment

• A manager ensuring that company benefits actually serve all employees

• A team leader addressing bias in hiring or promotion decisions

Coming out isn't a one-time event: it's an ongoing process that happens in countless small moments. And it's not just for LGBTQ+ people. We all "come out" when we show up authentically at work, bringing our full selves to our professional relationships.

Looking Forward While Honoring the Past

LGBTQ+ History Month isn't just about looking backward: it's about understanding how the past informs our present and future. The activists and professionals who came before us didn't fight for the right to be tolerated. They fought for the right to thrive, to lead, to innovate, and to be celebrated for their contributions.

That legacy lives in every LGBTQ+ professional who brings creativity to their role, every ally who speaks up for inclusion, and every workplace that chooses to see diversity as a strength rather than something to manage.

This October, as you navigate your own professional journey, remember: you're not just benefiting from the courage of those who came before you. You're also writing the history that future generations will inherit.

Your authentic presence at work matters. Your advocacy for inclusive policies matters. Your willingness to have difficult conversations about equity matters. The way you show up: whether you're LGBTQ+ or an ally: is actively shaping the professional landscape for everyone who comes after you.

So this month, take a moment to honor the trailblazers. Reflect on how far we've come. Acknowledge how far we still have to go. And then ask yourself: What story do I want to help write?

The answer to that question might just change everything: not only for you, but for every professional who needs to see that they belong in spaces where their authentic self is not just welcome, but valued.

Ready to explore how authentic leadership can transform your professional journey? Connect with us to discover coaching approaches that honor your whole self.