Meaning of lavender ceiling | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An unwritten barrier preventing the advancement of LGBT people in society.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lavender, ceiling.

Examples

“Each day, thousands of employees throughout corporate California wrestle with whether to come out of the closet. Some fear that revealing their sexual orientation will bring down the "lavender ceiling," which they say can spell the difference between a promotion and stagnation.”

“Just as Hillary Rodham Clinton famously put "18 million cracks in the glass ceiling" for women in high office, so there are a number of corporate executives who are doing the same for the lavender ceiling faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. It's just a matter of time before they are promoted to the top job.”

“The "lavender ceiling" has been shattered — after nearly a century in place. On Sunday at around midnight, "Moonlight" became the first LGBTQ film ever to take the Best Picture prize at the 89th annual Academy Awards.”

“During a time when the Trump administration seems to be working hard to strengthen the lavender ceiling that prohibits the LGBTQ community from functioning equally in American society—whether by claiming that LGBTQ employees can be fired from their workplace for their sexual orientation or by attempting to ban transgender people from serving in the military—Jenkins's and Roem's victories strike a hopeful note for the country at large.”

“"For Sarah to shatter a lavender ceiling in such a polarising year is a powerful reminder that voters are increasingly rejecting the politics of bigotry in favour of candidates who stand for fairness and equality," said Annise Parker of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which trains and supports out candidates.”

CEFR level