What is LGBTQ+ mentoring and how to find a mentor

LGBTQ+ professionals with mentors advance faster, experience less burnout, and are more likely to reach senior roles. This guide covers what good mentoring looks like, how to find an LGBTQ+ mentor, and how to make the relationship work.

Why mentoring matters for LGBTQ+ professionals

Research by Deloitte found that LGBTQ+ employees who have mentors are significantly more likely to be out at work, more likely to feel engaged, and more likely to advance. Research by Catalyst found that employees with sponsors are 23% more likely to advance in their careers. For LGBTQ+ professionals who may be less connected to informal senior networks, formal mentoring programmes can bridge a significant gap.

Mentor vs sponsor: the key distinction

A mentor advises, guides, and shares experience. Mentoring conversations focus on your development, challenges, and goals. A sponsor actively advocates for you using their own reputation and capital — recommending you for opportunities and opening doors. Mentoring benefits you through advice; sponsorship benefits you through action.

What makes a good LGBTQ+ mentor?

• Experience relevant to where you want to go, not just where you are
• Active commitment to inclusion, whether LGBTQ+ themselves or a deeply engaged ally
• Willingness to be honest, including about your areas for development
• A network that opens doors, not just one that matches your current circle

Where to find an LGBTQ+ mentor

myGwork connects LGBTQ+ professionals with mentors across industries and geographies. Creating a profile and specifying your mentoring interests is the fastest way to access the LGBTQ+ mentoring community. Your employer’s LGBTQ+ ERG may also run formal or informal mentoring schemes.

How to make a mentoring relationship work

Define what you want before your first meeting. The mentee drives the relationship — schedule meetings, prepare agendas, follow up on actions. Be honest about your real challenges, not just your successes. Take action between meetings and report back.

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