Breaking the Rainbow Ceiling - RSA

Breaking the Rainbow Ceiling

Public talks

 -  | BST British Summer Time

RSA House and Online

  • Business and entrepreneurship
  • Environment
  • Technology

How can LGBTQ+ people thrive and succeed at work?

There are currently only four LGBTQ+ CEOs across all Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies who are out at work, and just 0.8% of Fortune 500 board positions are filled by LGBTQ+ people. This deficit, occurring across sectors and around the world, reveals a diversity gap playing out in today’s workplace: LGBTQ+ people are less likely to reach the top jobs. But what is holding LGBTQ+ people back at work – and what can be done?


Layla McCay is Director of Policy at the NHS Confederation, Executive Lead of the UK's Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network and author of a new book: Breaking the Rainbow Ceiling. Combining fresh data with personal insights from over 40 prominent LGBTQ+ trailblazers, from CEOs to Ambassadors, the book reveals the challenges that LGBTQ+ people commonly encounter as they find their way in work environments, and provides practical strategies that can help empower LGBTQ+ people to reach their full professional potential.


Join Layla at the RSA to explore how everyone – from boards, CEOs, HR professionals, managers and colleagues, through to LGBTQ+ people navigating their own career paths – can recognize and address the barriers to progression, achieve their career goals, and build a more inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and succeed.

Subscribe to the RSA events newsletter

For information about how we handle your data, please read our privacy policy.

Hear more from leading social innovators

Public talks

We offer free access to the world's most influential changemakers. Join a public talk and engage in conversations to help shape our future.

Join another RSA Public Talk

  • 2024 Angus Millar Lecture

    Public talks

    Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

    In the 25th anniversary RSA Angus Millar Lecture, award-winning author Andrew O’Hagan will address “Art, Literature and Truth in the Era of Fake News, Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence”.

  • Unlocking civic voice

    Public talks

    RSA House and Online

    Join our expert panel to hear impactful insights and experiences from community-led projects. Discover how these initiatives have empowered citizens to speak up for their communities and shape their shared future.

  • The cost of workplace ageism

    Public talks

    RSA House and online

    How can tackling workplace ageism boost our economy? Our expert panel will explore how addressing ageism in the workplace could boost the UK’s economy by £9 billion annually - an essential move for the country's future prosperity.

Related events

  • An introduction to RSA Circle

    Fellowship events

    Online via Zoom

    In a fast-paced and concise 30-minute induction, learn how to create your Circle profile and discover its most popular features.

  • Kirkcaldy meetup

    Fellowship events

    The Adam Smith Global Foundation, KY1 1HL

    Join RSA Fellows in Kirkcaldy for an informal catch up and a chance to network and build connections over coffee or a drink.

  • International development network reconnect

    Fellowship events

    Online via Zoom

    This will be the first of a series of virtual meetings designed to bring together Fellows of the International Development Network (IDN).