2nd Annual 'LGBT Job Fair' To Take Place In Hauppauge

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Members of the LGBT community will soon be able to showcase their professional skills.

The New York LGBT Network is hosting its second annual "LGBT Job Fair" on Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Hauppauge Center, located at 125 Kennedy Dr. Suite 100.

Prospective job candidates will network with dozens of LGBT-affirming companies. Recruiters will welcome professionals from numerous fields, such as corporate, financial, nonprofit, healthcare, biopharmaceutical, utilities, retail, legal, government, and media.

According to a press release, the LGBT Job Fair "provides a link between LGBT-inclusive employers seeking to recruit LGBT talent" and interested "LGBT jobseekers looking for inclusive and affirming workplaces."

The companies include, but are not limited to:

• Bethpage Federal Credit Union
• The Bountiful Company
• National Grid
• AlticeUSA
• John Bell Law Group
• Dignity Memorial
• Broadridge
• PSEG Long Island
• Floor & Décor
• New York Cancer and Blood Specialists
• Sartorius
• Dime Bank
• Newsday
• Starbucks
• Henry Schein
• Rivken Radler
• Suffolk County
• Lifes Worc
• GEICO
• Development Disabilities institute
• U.S. Army
• New York Life
• SB Clinical Practice Management Plan
• Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE)
• Options for community Living

“This is a unique event,” said LGBT Network President and Founder, Dr. David Kilmnick. “LGBT jobseekers will connect with companies looking to recruit and hire from the LGBT community from across Long Island and the tri-state area – there is no other event like it in the region.”

Resume reviews, mock interviews, job counseling, presentation skills training and on-site interviews will be conducted on-site.

According to the non-profit, nearly 50 percent of LGBT community members are not out at work. At least 30 percent of those who are not out fear losing connections with co-workers.

Of transgender people, 27 percent who held or applied for a job in the last year reported being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion due to their gender identity, the network said.

Unemployment rates among transgender people are three times higher than the national average.

"LGBT employees continue to face a variety of challenges in securing employment, on-the-job harassment and discrimination, and fears of losing their job," said Kilmnick. “LGBT people want to work at a company that sees them, understands them, and supports them.”

Participants are encouraged to register online for the event.

To register and learn more about the job fair, click here.