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Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work
Everything you need to know about creating LGBTQ2+ inclusive workplace, from A to Z.
What you aren’t doing about creating an LGBTQ2+ inclusive workplace is costing you more than might think. Every year, companies who aren’t doing the necessary work are losing millions of dollars to low productivity, staff turnover, missed opportunities, and reputational damage―and no, simply slapping a rainbow over your company logo every June isn’t going to cut it.
In this myth-busting follow-up to the 2020 breakout bestseller Birds of All Feathers , diversity and inclusion expert Michael Bach breaks down everything you need to know about creating inclusive workplaces for people who don’t fit squarely into the “straight” and “cis” box. And don’t worry if you’re already feeling lost; by the time you’ve finished this book, you’ll know exactly LGBTQ2+ means―and a whole lot of other stuff to boot.
With clarity and a healthy dose of humor, Bach lays out a road map on how to ensure your workplace is safe for LGBTQ2+ people. You’ll gain a clear understanding of sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression (yes, they’re different things, and it matters); what a Safe Space is, and how to turn your workplace into one; how to create and properly enforce a workplace Code of Conduct; and how to grab a piece of the fabulous “pink dollar“ (worth more than $1 trillion dollars annually in the Canada and US alone!).
A must-read for leaders, HR professionals, CEOs, and managers of all levels, Alphabet Soup is a critical guide to creating a truly inclusive workplace for all―regardless of sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression. Whether you consider yourself an ally, or don’t even know what it means to be one, you’ll come away armed with everything you need to know to create a safe, productive, and thriving organization.
What you aren’t doing about creating an LGBTQ2+ inclusive workplace is costing you more than might think. Every year, companies who aren’t doing the necessary work are losing millions of dollars to low productivity, staff turnover, missed opportunities, and reputational damage―and no, simply slapping a rainbow over your company logo every June isn’t going to cut it.
In this myth-busting follow-up to the 2020 breakout bestseller Birds of All Feathers , diversity and inclusion expert Michael Bach breaks down everything you need to know about creating inclusive workplaces for people who don’t fit squarely into the “straight” and “cis” box. And don’t worry if you’re already feeling lost; by the time you’ve finished this book, you’ll know exactly LGBTQ2+ means―and a whole lot of other stuff to boot.
With clarity and a healthy dose of humor, Bach lays out a road map on how to ensure your workplace is safe for LGBTQ2+ people. You’ll gain a clear understanding of sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression (yes, they’re different things, and it matters); what a Safe Space is, and how to turn your workplace into one; how to create and properly enforce a workplace Code of Conduct; and how to grab a piece of the fabulous “pink dollar“ (worth more than $1 trillion dollars annually in the Canada and US alone!).
A must-read for leaders, HR professionals, CEOs, and managers of all levels, Alphabet Soup is a critical guide to creating a truly inclusive workplace for all―regardless of sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression. Whether you consider yourself an ally, or don’t even know what it means to be one, you’ll come away armed with everything you need to know to create a safe, productive, and thriving organization.
- GenresNonfictionQueer
216 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2022
10 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 29, 2022
Michael Bach:
"[...] If your organization has ten or more people, statistically speaking there is a really good chance that people working for or with you identify as LGBTQ2+. If you don't know who they are yet, it is a good indicator that you need to work on creating a more inclusive space."
Me:
"Oh. Fuck."
When I requested 'Alphabet Soup' I expected an interesting read, something to nourrish my mind.
What I did not expect was something that challenged me emotionally, led to many discussions with friends and co-workers, and will probably result in a long-term change of my behaviour.
I strongly recommend this book to ... well ... everyone. But mostly to cis hetero people who want that everyone can feel as safe as themself.
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Bach for the ARC!
"[...] If your organization has ten or more people, statistically speaking there is a really good chance that people working for or with you identify as LGBTQ2+. If you don't know who they are yet, it is a good indicator that you need to work on creating a more inclusive space."
Me:
"Oh. Fuck."
When I requested 'Alphabet Soup' I expected an interesting read, something to nourrish my mind.
What I did not expect was something that challenged me emotionally, led to many discussions with friends and co-workers, and will probably result in a long-term change of my behaviour.
I strongly recommend this book to ... well ... everyone. But mostly to cis hetero people who want that everyone can feel as safe as themself.
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Bach for the ARC!
August 26, 2022
Is this book really informative? Yes
Will it greatly help people in higher up/manager roles be more inclusive of people in the LGBTQ+ community? Yes
Is it without flaws? No. And some of them are quite hurtful. :/
General review: This book is a great first stop for organizations looking to further Diversity & Inclusion in their spaces. It gives a lot of information on the LGBTQ+ community and some great tips and how-tos.
The humor, even if not for me, makes it an easier read and (not to be shady) I do think the people this book is marketed towards will appreciate it.
The problems:
Now, there's a few problems that I really think need to be highlighted. I think the issue, for points 1-3, is THE SOURCE of the information, aka the "online dictionary" from a cis het man - I wouldn't immediately consider this an issue, but if done by actual queer people this wouldn't have happened -, and the government source (not always super up-to-date).
1. for the MILLIONTH TIME: bisexuals are NOT trans exclusive! The definition has been "one or more genders" for so long and the community has been saying for YEARS that the "tends to be more specific to cisgender people" idea untrue, unfounded and extremely hurtful to bi people. bi people include trans people in their sexual attraction and saying the opposite is both transphobic and biphobic. This was awful to read, especially in this type of book. I really considered dnf'ing for this alone. I really hope it gets fixed.
2. I think gay is an extremely umbrella term. And I think many queer women feel the same, as I have seen many gay women identify as... gay. I'm all for queer and the acronym, but saying no one but gay men use the term gay is... false.
3. This one is from a government source. On page 172 it is written as an example to put as gender identification answers "Man/ Trans/... Woman". I find this strange - A trans person will not exclude the other labels. I found it odd after the pages before explaining so much about HOW to deal with gender on forms.
4. One thing I thought was lacking was, ironically, the consideration of the queer people at the organization. Should we go to the seminars too? A small text line would be helpful, as I think that will be a doubt that will crop up.
5. The last thing that really irked me, much like #1, probably because I'm writing this after the Harry Styles' Variety interview debacle, was reading "Your advertising doesn't have to be overt (no one actually wants to see a picture of people kissing; there's a name for that:porn)." (Page 191). I'm sorry, and I know the Puriteens may come for me on this one, but seeing people kiss on an ad isn't porn, it isn't even soft porn; it's nowhere near porn unless the kiss is happening during sex (which as we all know has never been used as a marketing device btw. and not in a variety of PG-R classifications). This "joke" wasn't it.
Will it greatly help people in higher up/manager roles be more inclusive of people in the LGBTQ+ community? Yes
Is it without flaws? No. And some of them are quite hurtful. :/
General review: This book is a great first stop for organizations looking to further Diversity & Inclusion in their spaces. It gives a lot of information on the LGBTQ+ community and some great tips and how-tos.
The humor, even if not for me, makes it an easier read and (not to be shady) I do think the people this book is marketed towards will appreciate it.
The problems:
Now, there's a few problems that I really think need to be highlighted. I think the issue, for points 1-3, is THE SOURCE of the information, aka the "online dictionary" from a cis het man - I wouldn't immediately consider this an issue, but if done by actual queer people this wouldn't have happened -, and the government source (not always super up-to-date).
1. for the MILLIONTH TIME: bisexuals are NOT trans exclusive! The definition has been "one or more genders" for so long and the community has been saying for YEARS that the "tends to be more specific to cisgender people" idea untrue, unfounded and extremely hurtful to bi people. bi people include trans people in their sexual attraction and saying the opposite is both transphobic and biphobic. This was awful to read, especially in this type of book. I really considered dnf'ing for this alone. I really hope it gets fixed.
2. I think gay is an extremely umbrella term. And I think many queer women feel the same, as I have seen many gay women identify as... gay. I'm all for queer and the acronym, but saying no one but gay men use the term gay is... false.
3. This one is from a government source. On page 172 it is written as an example to put as gender identification answers "Man/ Trans/... Woman". I find this strange - A trans person will not exclude the other labels. I found it odd after the pages before explaining so much about HOW to deal with gender on forms.
4. One thing I thought was lacking was, ironically, the consideration of the queer people at the organization. Should we go to the seminars too? A small text line would be helpful, as I think that will be a doubt that will crop up.
5. The last thing that really irked me, much like #1, probably because I'm writing this after the Harry Styles' Variety interview debacle, was reading "Your advertising doesn't have to be overt (no one actually wants to see a picture of people kissing; there's a name for that:porn)." (Page 191). I'm sorry, and I know the Puriteens may come for me on this one, but seeing people kiss on an ad isn't porn, it isn't even soft porn; it's nowhere near porn unless the kiss is happening during sex (which as we all know has never been used as a marketing device btw. and not in a variety of PG-R classifications). This "joke" wasn't it.
April 4, 2022
I really appreciated the humor in this book, since a lot of books in this genre can be kind of dry and repetitive. This book starts you at the very beginning with various definitions so that you can understand the language used when discussing LGBTQ2+ topics and communities. I loved the analogies, such as the genderbread person, and also the list of questions about sexual orientation and gender identity that people within LGBTQ2+ communities get asked all the time but other people do not. This was helpful in understanding my own privilege, and I can see myself using these analogies in the future to help educate others. Finally, the practical advice on how to create safe space in the workplace was invaluable. I plan to get started right away!
Thank you to Michael Bach, Page Two and NetGalley for the opportunity to access this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Michael Bach, Page Two and NetGalley for the opportunity to access this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Bach and Page two for the Arc of this book. This book is excellent as a first read for people looking at LGBTQ2+ in the workplace or in regards to life in general. It is easy to read and informative. As a member of the LGBTQ2+ community I was not expecting to learn anything in this book but I found it surprisingly eye opening especially in terms of businesses. The general knowledge in the book such as definitions and descriptions are handy for people wanting to understand the LGBTQ2+ community and delivered in an easy to digest way.
May 21, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and author Michael Bach.
I think all cishet people need to read this, whether they are employers or not. Some laws and cultural aspects mentioned here don't apply everywhere, but in general, it's a book good that provides basic knowledge about LGBTQ+ communities and why inclusion is important and even profitable.
I think all cishet people need to read this, whether they are employers or not. Some laws and cultural aspects mentioned here don't apply everywhere, but in general, it's a book good that provides basic knowledge about LGBTQ+ communities and why inclusion is important and even profitable.
July 29, 2022
would be great for a cis straight person to read but kinda cringe writing going on and some inaccuracies in definitions etc - however i’m leading a book talk on this to my coworkers and it seems like a good fit and ease into lgbtq+ history, needs, equality etc and the sections on how workplaces can help are good
April 17, 2022
As a non binary panromantic ace person, I approve this message! Every manager, CEO, business owner (small or large), or person in a place of privilege or leadership should read this book. I truly felt seen and integrated some ideas for how I can do better too.
May 3, 2022
An absolute essential read for everyone in your workplace. Informative with a dash of humor, I am so happy to have chanced across this book.
October 11, 2023
Read this book for a work pride group book study, and we all absolutely loved it! The information and lessons were delivered with humor and honesty.
March 20, 2025
I learned something and I enjoyed the ride. The author is engaging.
September 10, 2022
"Alphabet Soup" is informative and has a lot of options for improving your place of work's inclusivity. The book is a breeze to read, and the author infuses humor into it. I learned a lot and have been able to make some positive changes as an individual.
September 25, 2022
This is a fantastic, comprehensive, and well-written book about creating LGBTQ2+ inclusive workplaces. While the author begins the book with some definitions and terms that may be familiar, it was a nice review and I learned some new terms as well. Bach infuses humor throughout the book, making it read and if you’re talking with a friend. The points he makes about inclusion and belonging are clearly made and contain powerful insight. I appreciate the helpful tips to make your Diversity and Inclusion initiatives more fulsome - we will be incorporating a lot of this information at my office!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews