Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender professionals make decisions everyday about whether or not to disclose their sexual orientation in the workplace. The Center for Talent Innovation finds that 46% of LGBT employees are closeted at work because they fear negative career repercussions. 

In 2004, PwC established an LGBT Partner Advisory Board to raise the visibility of successful gay role models. Board members lead the Out Professional Employee Networks (OPEN) in their local markets with a focus on networking, career development and community service activities. The team rotates board meetings to different offices across the country in order to share their experiences with straight partners and staff.

The board sets the strategy and makes policy recommendations for how the firm can best attract, retain and advance LGBT professionals. Some recent accomplishments include:

• Hosting national summits to convene LGBT leaders and share best practices within PwC.
• Providing domestic partner health benefits and tax equalization before the legalization of same-sex marriage.
• Developing firm-wide gender inclusivity guidelines.
• Sponsoring external conferences with OutLeadership and Lesbians Who Tech.
• Contributing to GLAAD, the Human Right Campaign, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Trevor Project and dozens of local LGBT charities.
• Signing the amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges.

In PwC’s last people survey, 90% of LGBT respondents said they were proud to work for PwC. The firm has received a 100% rating on the HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index every year since 2006 and been recognized by the Ackerman Institute and Out & Equal as best in class for LGBT inclusion.