‘Coming Out of the Closet’ at Work [AUDIO]

A new survey finds a majority of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees do not feel comfortable about "coming out of the closet" at work.

The Human Rights Campaign poll finds 53 percent of LGBT workers remain closeted at the office.

"Whether or not people feel comfortable is personal, and I think it varies across all different types of criteria," said the interim executive director of Garden State Equality, John Mikytuck.

He pointed out many members of the gay community may feel nervous because "in the majority of states, there are no protections against being fired because of your LGBT status. In New Jersey, luckily we do have protections that protect our community when they do come out of the closet."

Mikytuck said Garden State Equality is working to make sure that Jersey's non-discrimination law is upheld.

"If anyone has any fear of being discriminated against, we can certainly help alleviate it or step in if there may be some suspicion that that might have been the reason why they were terminated," Mikytuck said.

He also said once people understand their friends and loved ones may be part of the LGBT community, they will realize that there's really no difference between someone who is from that community and someone who isn't.

"We're all the same, we have the same desires," he said. "We have the same dreams, we have the same aspirations, we make the same commitments and take on the same responsibilities, so there should be no reason why we're seen any differently."