The Glass Closet: Why Coming Out Is Good Business

This work by Browne (partner, private equity firm Riverstone Holdings; Beyond Business) joins the increasing number of titles focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees, a field that includes Sylvia Ann Hewlett's research study "The Power of 'OUT,'" included in her book Brainpower. The author knows of what he speaks: he is a former CEO of BP who remained closeted until his controversial resignation. Drawing heavily from his own career, as well as from interviews with LGBT business leaders and the growing body of research in this arena, Browne discusses how European and American white-collar industries cannot afford to ignore the LGBT community. Nor can they ignore their LGBT employees—41 percent and 34 percent of whom remain in their respective U.S. and UK closets, surrounded by a worldwide cultural climate of discrimination. Browne maintains that corporate leaders can boost morale, increase productivity, and discredit homophobia by creating "cultures of inclusion codified not merely in policies and handbooks, but also in the thoughts and behaviour of employees."