Sometimes, it seems like opportunities aren't the same for LGBT people. Discrimination can still occur in workplaces, and the husband with a wife and kids is perceived to rise to the top much faster.

From our research, all that is changing. Members of the LGBT community are filling all sorts of positions in every industry. We want to celebrate that Canada is an accepting place to work, and continues to become even more inclusive every day.

We interviewed six senior employees in a variety of fields to talk about their struggles and successes. We hope their stories will inspire you to reach for greatness, and to let nothing stop you on your way there.

Michael Fairfoull
Senior Analyst, Finance
Loblaw

Have realistic expectations. The market is tough and competitive, so differentiate yourself through skill sets or experience.

“I don’t really consider myself an out colleague here,” says Michael. “Loblaw’s culture is based off of respect and reflecting our nation’s diversity.”

Michael started at Loblaw in 2011 as a master data analyst and quickly moved up to senior analyst. On a typical day, he monitors data and the entire system information flow between other systems they use. “Basically, we set up all our information and it flows into other systems like our HR system, our warehouse system, billing systems, and vendor interacting systems.”

Michael grew up in the small city of Brantford, Ontario. “All through grade school, I was teased and hid my sexuality,” he says. “When I came into the professional world, I felt I could be open and talk about my boyfriend and my family and things like that.”

He’s participated in a number of diversity initiatives at Loblaw, including the Diversity Champion program, which allows colleagues to promote inclusion at work every day. He’s also attended Pride at Work events like ProPRIDE, a professional LGBT networking event.

Integral to the productivity of a massive company like Loblaw, it’s key that Michael feel comfortable in his work environment. He says he feels like another member of the team.Loblaw, it’s key that Michael feel comfortable in his work environment. He says he feels like another member of the team.

“We all have our quirks and we all have our individual aspects, so the company embraces that. I’ve been thankful that my boss has always treated me based off my work ethic and I’ve been rewarded with my promotion.”

Lysa Lapointe
Customer Experience Advisor
TD

Figure out what you’re good at, what your strengths and skills are, and what you like doing.

“As a member of the queer community, I’ve always banked with TD and I recognized that TD was doing great leadership work within the community.”

Lysa started at TD in a part-time role while working on a grad degree at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. She realized she could bring her passion for education to her job at TD, which quickly flourished into a career.

“I had clients who were coming in and I was educating them on their financial options with the bank,” she says. “As I’ve moved through different positions, my focus has always been on coaching, education, and development.”

Lysa’s current role as customer experience advisor supports 16 downtown Toronto branches of TD. “My main goal is to make sure the customers of these branches have the best possible experience with TD from the time they walk in the door.”

Before TD, Lysa worked for a credit union that wasn’t as accepting. “The culture was not one that really talked about diversity, so I never came out in that workplace and it felt so uncomfortable for me.” Luckily, TD embraces diversity in a multitude of ways, from workshops, transitioning sensitivity training, and the opportunity to attend conferences.

Lysa and her partner have been married since 2012; the couple are interested in starting a family down the road. “There’s no imminent timeline for that, but it’s something we’re now trying to figure out: how to balance careers and the plan to eventually start a family as well.”

Leon Mulder
Market Development Manager
Priceline.com

Be yourself in all that you do.

“I sort of fell into sales, although it’s a natural fit,” says Leon. Growing up, he worked part-time at the front desk of a hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. From there, he worked his way up the food chain in hotels and hospitality to his current position with Priceline.

Unlike some of his peers, Leon’s success has been built through determination and a knowledge of the industry. “I have very little educational background to share,” he says. “My experience has all come from hard work.” His motto is “people do business with people they like,” a key point to success in sales.

In his current role, Leon manages a number of duties. “About 75 per cent of my time is spent working on finding new business opportunities,” he says. “The other 25 per cent of my time is working with our existing accounts through various methods of support.”

Although he experienced difficulty coming out in a conservative environment, Leon says that his industry helped him find happiness and security with his sexuality.

“The hospitality industry is a very friendly industry. In 13 years, I’ve never come across any negativity. In addition, my employers have always encouraged me to be as involved as possible in promoting their brands to the LGBT community. The hospitality industry not only values the LGBT community as employees, but also as customers.”

Leon’s success doesn’t stop with Priceline, either. He was on the board of directors for the Ontario Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and also owned his own business.

Matt Petersen
Senior Director, Diversity & Inclusion
CIBC

Get involved in the organization and find out if they have an employee resource network.

“CIBC was the first Canadian bank to form an employee resource group for LGBT-identified professionals in the banking industry,” a fact that drew Matt to his career with the company.

Matt grew up in a small city and struggled with which direction to take his career. He went to a temp agency for guidance and wound up working in recruitment for that agency, eventually leading him all the way to his current role. In the last eight years, he’s worked his way up from recruitment manager at CIBC’s national call centre to senior director of diversity and inclusion.

“My typical day is very different day-to-day,” he says. “My day now is anything from deailing with policy to dealing with employee programs that create awareness to dealing with how to create tools and training for our leaders.”

“My day is focused on three main areas: what are we doing around our workforce, what are we doing around our workplace, and what are we doing to be a leader in the marketplace.”

Matt’s also involved as the chair of the board with Pride at Work Canada, an organization that aims to improve the climate of inclusiveness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified employees in the workplace.

His key advice is to network as best you can, both in your department and in other areas. “I think it’s so important to start to build a broader network of people who can be supportive of you within the organization. Informal networks can give you a strategic advantage, not only in terms of problem solving, but also in terms of your next move.”

Jason Reilly
Senior Director, Marketing
The Home Depot Canada

Be confident in who you are and kind in your approach.

“Since coming out, I’ve had great experiences and am able to fully be myself,” says Jason. “That honesty and the support network it created gave me the confidence that helps to overcome almost any challenge.”

Jason grew up and studied business in Sudbury, Ontario. He worked in retail throughout his degree, eventually working his way up in the company in advertising and marketing, thriving in the unique environment. “Retail is a fast-paced industry where no two days are ever alike,” he says. “The opportunity to build long-term plans and then react quickly to market pressures and immediately see the results of your choices is something that I absolutely love about retail.”

He eventually made the jump to The Home Depot Canada, filling a newly created position. “It gave me the opportunity to be one of the first marketing managers dedicated to The Home Depot’s Canadian business. It was too good an opportunity to pass up.”

While managing a growing team of marketing associates and creating large-scale campaigns, Jason works in an inclusive environment where he is able to be himself. He’s also had the opportunity to be the executive sponsor of the LGBT associate resource group, helping employees understand the benefits available to them and providing a supportive community.

“It’s absolutely liberating being able to be exactly who I am at work and at home,” he says. “At The Home Depot, we pride ourselves on diversity. It is a core value and one that we always strive to embrace and encourage.”

Jon Ricci
Senior Manager, Audit and Assurance
PwC

Be yourself. You’ll be far more successful if you’re open with the people you work with about who you are.

“Everyone’s been incredibly accepting of me. I get judged on my work as opposed to who I am, which I appreciate,” says Jon. “I can bring my husband to any of the firm events where we bring partners and it’s like I’m bringing anybody.”

Jon started at PwC over eight years ago as a new associate and worked his way up through the ranks. Currently, in his senior manager role, his days are a mixed bag of tasks, depending on the season. “During my busy time—January to May—I spend most of it at a client site either meeting with teams or visiting clients,” he says. “Outside of busy season, I spent a lot of time connecting with my clients, making future clients, and remaining connected to them.”

In some jobs before starting his career, Jon says he experienced a lack of acceptance in the workplace. “Since I knew they were only temporary jobs, I chose not to come out and to just get my work done and, at 5 p.m., get the hell out.” He says the difference at PwC is refreshing, with no judgment or discrimination.

Jon has had the opportunity to do some incredible things through his work at PwC. He’s the leader of Vancouver’s Gay, Lesbian, and Everybody Else (GLEE) resource group, a national employee circle that provides a support network of all LGBT employees and allies within the firm.

For two years, Jon was also able to travel with his husband and work in Brisbane, Australia, where he says his sexuality was never an issue. “Culturally, it was a great fit. Fantastic people—just fell in love with the country!”