Introduction
Hi everyone!
My name is Meryl Hayes, and I live in Washington, DC, with my fiancée (soon-to-be wife). Outside of work, we love to travel, host friends, cook, and try the newest restaurants—oftentimes combined! On occasion, I also enjoy running, but I am trying not to make this my whole personality.
What has been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?
Coming out to my friends and family once felt insurmountable. Now that I’m on the other side, I’ve found a sense of belonging and acceptance in an incredible community - one that I truly believe could be the best community in the world. I am totally and completely me, and it is not lost on me how fortunate I am to have so many people in my life who continue to make that possible.
How can colleagues be better allies to the LGBTQIA+ team members?
The LGBTQIA+ community is far from a monolith, and the friendly neighborhood gay on TV probably looks very different than your LGBTQIA+ team member. So, when I tell you I am getting married in November, take a beat before you ask me the name of my future husband. If you do make that assumption and I tell you otherwise, don’t make it weird! Take it as an opportunity to remember that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are all around you, and you have the ability to foster a welcoming workplace environment on a daily basis.
What advice would you give to other LGBTQIA+ individuals entering the workforce?
Remember that interviews are a two-way street. Just like your interviewers are assessing whether you are a fit for their company, you also have the opportunity to assess whether they are a fit for you. Ask the tough questions. Connect with current and former employees. Understand the benefits (family planning, etc.). Do what you can to determine not only whether it will be “OK” to bring your full self to work but whether that full self will be celebrated.
How important is visibility and representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace?
In corporate America, only 31% of the LGBTQ community is fully out at work. Thirty-one percent! The top reason for keeping quiet? Fear of discrimination. Rainbow logos on LinkedIn are fantastic (truly, they are), but what about when the calendar hits July 1?
I have been told more than once that I’m not the most open of books, but here I am writing something that people who I don’t know and will never meet might read. To me, nothing could show the importance of representation more.
What are your hopes for the future of LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in the workplace?
I hope for a future where the LGBTQ+ community is celebrated in all workplaces, all the time—not just in June. I hope to see representation prioritized at the highest levels of leadership and decision-making. Ultimately, my hope is for a future where being ‘out’ at work is seen as less of a protest, less of being brave, less of being vulnerable—and more of something that just is.
Join us!
DoiT is growing, and we’re looking for people to join our teams around the globe. Learn more about our open roles and LifeAtDoiT on our Career page.
