Human resources group focuses on gender, sexual orientation bias

He was fired the next day.

A human resources site manager for West Business Services, Hayes-Milligan shared the story Thursday at a luncheon meeting of the Oklahoma City Human Resources Society. The topic was workplace diversity in respect to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, who studies show represent at least 10 percent of the work force.

"We need to drive these discussions, so that sexual orientation and gender identity are not only tolerated, but also accepted,” Hayes-Milligan told more than 100 human resources professionals in attendance. "Our excuse can no longer be ‘because we live in Oklahoma.’ We are the ones who have the pulse of the organization and can make change happen everyday.”

Hayes-Milligan is married and has 5-month-old twin boys.