LGBTQ+ Safety in Coaching

Recently, I’ve realized that I need to be more open and public about my support and ally-ship for LGBTQ+ people, especially for my coaching clients.

I have had a few clients be very careful about the language they use around their significant other, and who were hesitant to disclose details around their relationships until the second or third coaching session. It is every client’s choice how much or how little disclose about anything, and I’m glad they felt safe being open with me once trust was built. However, I would like to be proactive so that future clients know that I will support them regardless of their gender or sexual identity.

It is my responsibility as the coach in the relationship to create psychological safety and to build and maintain trust so that clients can address the whole of who they are and the topic they’re working on.

I will:

• Use your preferred pronouns and the preferred pronouns of anyone you discuss in our sessions. My preferred pronouns are she/her/hers.
• Be non-judgemental about any aspect of your gender or sexuality. I am a straight cis female.
• Continue to believe, as I always have, that you are who you are and you love who you love.
• Find a way to identify myself as LGBTQ+ friendly somewhere permanent and easily visible on my website and any other sites where I have profiles.
• Not expect you to disclose anything about your gender or sexuality unless you so choose.
• State clearly that my support extends to the transgender/transitioning individuals.

If you or someone you know is looking for coaching but is uncertain who may be a safe person to work with, please don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch. If there are other commitments I can make in addition to those above, I would love to hear them so I can be as inclusive as possible.