Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) describes organizational policies and practices built to ensure fair representation, opportunity, and belonging for people of all backgrounds. Diversity is who is in the room, equity is fair access and treatment, and inclusion is whether people feel welcome and able to participate fully. In workplaces and schools, DEI work can include anti-discrimination policies, inclusive health benefits, employee resource groups, mentorship, and hiring reviews. For LGBTQ+ people, these programs often shape protections against discrimination and access to inclusive benefits. Since the early 2020s, DEI programs have become a political flashpoint, with several U.S. states and the federal government moving to restrict or eliminate them in public institutions and, in some cases, private companies.