Federal LGBT Workers Will Be Asked to Come Out — In a Survey

Office of Personnel Managment Chief John Berry, the Obama administration’s highest-ranking out gay

For the first time, federal workers are going to be asked two important things: if they're lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender and if they're happy with their jobs. 

 According to The Washington Post, this census of sexual orientation and gender identity appears in the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, along with other new questions asking federal employees if they have served in the military and whether they are disabled. The comprehensive annual survey is going out to nearly 2 million workers (compared with just over a quarter million last year) and will include all permanent employees (both part-time and full-time). 

The Obama administration’s highest-ranking out gay official, Office of Personnel Managment chief John Berry, told the Post that the agency wants to “learn as much as we can from our employees so we can better serve them.” It will be the first time anyone knows just how many federal employees identify as LGBT — and may lead to better benefits and workplace policies.