Date: Sun, 23 Jan 1994 11:19:39 -0800 (PST) From: Jeff Herwatt Subject: ACTION ALERT: First Interstate drops sexual orientation from policy GAY & LESBIAN AMERICANS P.O. Box 77533, Washington, DC 20013-7533, (800) 889-51111 ****====---- A C T I O N A L E R T ----====**** _____________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release January 21, 1994 First Interstate Bank, under pressure from the religious right, has dropped it protection of gay and lesbian workers from its non-discrimination policy. You are urged to write or call Mr. Bruce Willison and request that the banks rethink this action, and re-introduce sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy wording! Mr. Bruce Willison President & CEO First Interstate Bank 707 Wilshire Blvd. Mail Sort: W25-1 Los Angles CA 90017 Phone: (213) 614-4842 Fax: (213) 614-3454 SAN FRANCISCO -- Under pressure from the "religious right" First Interstate Bankcorp, dropped protection of gay and lesbian workers from its anti-discrimination policies. Up until August 1, 1993, First Interstate Bank barred employment discrimination based on ''race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, medical conditions, disability, veterans of the Vietnam era, or disabled Veterans'' (from an employee handbook dated Jan. '93). On August 1st, 1993, First Interstate Bankcorp, the parent company of First Interstate Bank of California with offices in 11 states (Arizona, Texas, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and California), quietly change its anti-bias policy language to include only ''race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex, veteran status, disability or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.'' The obvious message here is that it is now *OK* to discriminate against Gays and Lesbians, while at the same time dehumanizing these employees, setting them up for harassment, and humiliation. You are urged to take the time to write a letter or call/fax and let Mr. Willison know that you are outraged that they just "slipped" this in, and request that "sexual orientation" be included in the non-discrimination policy, as it was until late 1993! One can also assume that since First Interstate Bank is afraid to mention sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policy, they will not be extending family leave benefits or domestic partner benefits to gays and lesbians, and they will not mention sexual orientation in their diversity programs. GAY & LESBIAN AMERICANS P.O. Box 77533, Washington, DC 20013-7533, (800) 889-51111 ****====---- M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T ----====**** _____________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release January 21, 1994 Gay and Lesbian Americans (GLA) is a diverse, non-partisan coalition of grassroots advocates committed to civil rights for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and to a cure for AIDS. Through community-based chapters, GLA will foster a grassroots advocacy network to act locally, regionally, and nationally. As a results oriented organization we seek to end the government discrimination against citizens based on sexual orientation. Our mission includes enactment of civil rights legislation, repeal of sodomy laws, and funding and research of gay and lesbian health issues. To accomplish our goals GLA works to gain the support of Congress, the president, governors, state legislatures, mayors, city councils, and the public. Strategies include lobbying, advertising, and direct action. We are aggressive and uncompromising in advocating full and equal rights for gay and lesbians, and in governmental recognition of our lives. GLA exists to empower its members; through a democratic process Gay and Lesbian Americans elect officials and determine its platform. An independent organization, GLA has no political party affiliation, and does not make financial contributions to politicians. We evaluate political candidates by their measurable accomplishments on gay and lesbian civil rights issues-not on their rhetoric and promises. GLA seeks active, nationwide coalitions with diverse grassroots groups. To strengthen our constituency, we encourage all gay and lesbians to politically empower themselves - in their own ways. GAY & LESBIAN AMERICANS P.O. Box 77533, Washington, DC 20013-7533, (800) 889-51111 ****====---- J O I N I N G G L A & ----====**** _____________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release January 21, 1994 For information on GLA send an Email to gla@queernet.org To join GLA send an Email to gla-join@queernet.org