Organon's Brittanie Hoang on coming out and LGBTQ+ support at work

Hi! I’m Brittanie Hoang (she/her), and I’m an Associate Director in Regulatory Affairs – CMC at Organon. We’re a women’s health company on a mission to provide impactful medicines for every woman. I’m also a member of the Organon Pride Network, our employee resource group, and I identify as a lesbian.

What advice would you give to someone nervous about coming out?

Coming out is such a personal journey, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach! It’s completely your decision when, where, how, and to whom you choose to come out. Many people find that coming out isn’t just a single moment; it can evolve as life changes. If you’re concerned about safety, trust your instincts—maybe start with someone you really trust who you know has your back.

Looking back, I can genuinely say that coming out was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Hiding my sexual orientation was an extremely confining and isolating experience that kept me from being genuinely connected to myself and others. Transitioning to now being out and living authentically has been a paradigm shift that’s opened me up to a wider community and world of support. It’s truly a transformative experience, and I hope you find it empowering too.

How does your organization support and empower its LGBTQ+ employees?

At Organon, we believe that “We All Belong.” This principle has been a cornerstone of our values from day one. It’s so important for everyone to feel accepted at work just as they are, without needing to change anything about themselves. Those that come to work here need to know that their sexual orientation or gender identity won’t be an issue or barrier to career progression.

The company recognizes that safety is crucial, especially for those navigating intersecting identities. Our leadership has been vocal in supporting LGBTQ+ issues, and we actively engage in programming that reinforces inclusivity. As a queer woman of color, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with both the Pride Network and the Asia Pacific Association ERG’s. Together, we’ve tackled the unique challenges many of us at this intersection face. I’m proud to see our senior leaders stepping up with visible allyship, showing that they truly care about creating a supportive environment. Annual surveys to measure progress ensure that our efforts make a real tangible difference.

Do you feel that by coming out you can encourage others to come out? Has this happened to you and your colleagues? How does the LGBTQ+ employee resource group at your organization help foster LGBTQ+ inclusion in your workplace?

Absolutely! Being visible in the workplace can really help foster a more inclusive environment. I think that by increasing exposure as to what an LGBTQ+ person can look like, we challenge stereotypes and create a more nuanced understanding and acceptance of the community. 

When I joined Organon, I saw my LGBTQ+ colleagues being out, supported, and even celebrated not just during Pride month but year-round. I felt inspired by my coworkers, which helped me embrace my own identity. In turn, I can only hope that my being open about who I am can provide that same sense of comfort to others who might be on their own coming out journey. It’s all about building that supportive community.

It has been proven that being out at work increases productivity. What other advantages do you see in coming out in the workplace? 

When we can be our authentic selves at work, it really transforms the environment. There’s a deeper level of trust, connection and community. For me, feeling like I genuinely belong has made it easier to build authentic relationships which help in being more collaborative as we all tackle business challenges together.

On top of that, bridging my professional and personal lives means less code-switching. I can talk about my wife without worrying about using gender-neutral pronouns. It’s a relief to be able to be open and honest.

Do you check the Diversity and Inclusion policies of an organization and same-sex partner benefits before considering working for an organization? Why?

Absolutely! Thankfully with the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S., employers have to offer equal benefits to all employees irrespective of sexual orientation. So, it's valuable to dig a little deeper to see what else a company offers. As my wife and I begin our journey to start a family, it’s important to evaluate things like fertility benefits around IVF, adoption, and surrogacy assistance.

I also look at family and parental leave policies, whether for birth parents, non-birth parents, parents through surrogacy or adoptive parents. These details can really reflect a company’s commitment to inclusivity and whether they genuinely cover all their employees. It’s all about finding a place that aligns with our values and supports all traditional and non-traditional types of families.