BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
As diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs face growing political resistance in the United States, Spain is charting a different course that is grounded in comprehensive workplace protections for LGBTQ+ people.
In October, Spain’s center-left government issued a sweeping decree requiring companies with more than 50 employees to implement specific anti-discrimination policies. The move follows the country’s broader 2023 “real equality” law, which laid the foundation for what may be the world’s most ambitious legislation advancing LGBTQ+ rights at work.
“We should not think of LGBTI+ issues as only a matter of rights for a minority, but also as an opportunity to incorporate talent into the progress of the country,” said Julio del Valle de Íscar, Spain’s director for LGBTQ+ equality.
A workplace framework unlike any other
Unlike broader anti-discrimination laws in other nations, Spain’s new legislation outlines clear, actionable steps for companies. Employers must now include clauses against LGBTQ+ discrimination in collective bargaining agreements, offer training to recruitment staff to prevent bias, and establish internal protocols to address harassment.
“We all need a job to pay the bills, and LGTBI+ people do not leave their rights at the office door,” said del Valle de Íscar.
The law aims to address disparities such as higher poverty and unemployment rates within LGBTQ+ communities. A recent report from the umbrella advocacy group FELGTB noted that LGBTQ+ Spaniards are 13 percent more at risk of poverty than the general population. Among LGBTQ+ people over 60, unemployment is three times higher than among their straight counterparts.
A World Bank report has further suggested that inclusive policies benefit not just marginalized communities but also companies and national economies.
A contrast with U.S. policy shifts
Spain’s legislation comes as the U.S. government, under its current administration, has moved to dismantle DEI frameworks. Executive orders signed earlier this year have eliminated federal DEI programs and warned suppliers of U.S. embassies and consulates to comply with the ban or risk losing payments.
These changes have reverberated across the corporate world, with major brands such as Google, Target, and McDonald’s scaling back or rebranding their DEI strategies. While some firms continue inclusion efforts discreetly, the political climate has cast a chilling effect.
William Gil D’Avolio, executive director of FELGTB, acknowledged the shifting tides in the U.S., calling Spain’s leadership “a beacon of light” and expressing hope that more countries will follow suit.
Embraced by the private sector
Spain’s business community has, by and large, welcomed the new regulations. Oscar Muñoz, co-director of REDI, Spain’s first LGBTQ+ business inclusion network, said the transition has been smoother than expected. Since its launch in 2018, REDI has grown from 13 companies to over 300 members.
“We are surprised by how easy the implementation is turning out to be,” Muñoz said. “Companies know this brings modernity and innovation. Tomorrow’s society is there.”
The work ahead
Despite progress, advocates note that gaps remain. Activists are pushing for more detailed provisions supporting transgender employees, including workplace transition policies, inclusive language protocols, and gender-affirming training for management.
“People often wait until much later in life to transition because they fear risking their careers,” said Muñoz. Small gestures like respecting pronouns or updating company ID cards can foster a more supportive work environment, he added.
Spain has also not been immune to anti-LGBTQ+ backlash. The far-right Vox party has proposed repealing protections in several regions, including in healthcare and education. Yet the existence of national legislation offers a vital layer of stability, said Gil D’Avolio.
“This shows how important it is to have laws in place that are above the individual interests of political parties and politicians,” he said.
A model for the future
While the road to workplace equity is still being paved, Spain’s legal framework stands out in a moment when global consensus on inclusion appears increasingly fractured. As other countries reassess their commitments, Spain’s bold steps offer not just legal protections but also a vision of a more inclusive and innovative workforce.
