Consumers, employees favor pro-LGBTQ companies, survey says
In partnership with public relations company Edelman, the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD has released an analysis of survey data from 1,000 consumers and 1,000 workers in the country. The results suggest that a slight majority of both groups (51%) said they were more likely to work for a pro-LGBTQ business, while only 11% said they were less likely.

In addition, more than half of Americans expect CEOs to help shape policy around LGBTQ rights, according to the analysis. This is despite Edelman's corporate clients' reported anxieties about alienating transphobes by taking a firm public stance with the LGBTQ community — especially on the eve of a potential recession.

Another survey found that 61% of a group of 200 advertisers wanted to support the LGBTQ community but were hesitant for fear that the backlash for getting representation wrong would be worse than no representation at all.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis recognized that some of these conditions could tempt companies to sideline or cut support of social causes. "But if you put the LGBTQ community on hold, it will affect your bottom line," she said. "It's just the numbers. It's too important to consumers and employees."

Gender-fluid official fired after luggage theft allegations
Without elaborating further, the Department of Energy has announced that it has fired the country's first openly gender-fluid senior government official, Sam Brinton, after the long-time LGBTQ advocate was accused of two separate instances of luggage theft.

"By law, the Department of Energy cannot comment further on personal matters," a department spokesperson told NBC News in an email. Brinton themself did not immediately return a request for comment.

According to an arrest warrant from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, one alleged theft took place in July at Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport. And in October, Brinton was placed on leave after an investigation into allegations that they stole luggage from the baggage claim at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport a month earlier.

The estimated value of the latter bag and its contents is over $2,000, well over the $750 needed for a felony charge, meaning Brinton could face five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both, according to a complaint filed with Minnesota's 4th Judicial District Court.

Brinton has been the target of transphobic attacks from media and Republican politicians since October. Publications have referred to them as a "drag queen" and misgendered them, while on Wednesday last week, 16 House Republicans sent a letter to the department demanding Brinton's resignation.