A person’s gender, race, and age are often fairly obvious at first introduction. But many other meaningful characteristics — such as a person’s religion, sexual orientation, or parental status — are not immediately visible. People whose invisible characteristics are commonly stigmatized or devalued in the workplace have to make decisions regarding if, when, how, and to whom they will disclose these identities to, while weighing the costs and benefits of their choices.

A person’s gender, race, and age are often fairly obvious at first introduction. But many other meaningful characteristics — such as a person’s religion, sexual orientation, or parental status — are not immediately visible. People whose invisible characteristics are commonly stigmatized or devalued in the workplace have to make decisions regarding if, when, how, and to whom they will disclose these identities to, while weighing the costs and benefits of their choices.