From: INLGO@aol.com Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 19:06:29 -0400 Subject: NY Assemblymember Sponsors Equality Principles PRESS STATEMENT MAY 4, 1995 ASSEMBLYMEMBER GLICK JOINS IN SPONSORING EQUALITY PRINCIPLES ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION As New York State's only openly lesbian or gay state legislator and co-chair of the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials, I am proud to be a founding sponsor of the Equality Principles on Sexual Orientation. I join the Wall Street Project and Councilmember Tom Duane here in New York to announce the commencement of an exciting program to promote the adoption of these principles by corporations and institutions large and small throughout the country. While we make this announcement in New York, our colleague and co-sponsor, Supervisor Carol Migden of San Francisco is conducting a similar press conference in San Francisco. This symbolizes the broad scope of this endeavor. In every corner of America, lesbians and gay men are living their lives, but not all are living openly or equally. The scourge of discrimination and prejudice continues to circumscribe the lives of too many people. Not only are lesbians and gay men injured by discrimination, but our society also suffers. Family members feel our pain and want to change a world in which insecurity leads to hate and hate to violence. But it is certainly true that our institutions, public and private are likewise damaged. The inability to take full benefit of the talents and capabilities of all people creates a competitive disadvantage within the world of commerce. The Equality Principles are modeled after the Sullivan Principles on South Africa and the MacBride Principles on Northern Ireland. They provide a framework for an ethical standard that all corporations, universities, and other institutions can voluntarily embrace in their business practices. Companies that subscribe to the Equality Principles would agree to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, employee benefits and employee associations. In addition, the Equality Principles address the issue of eliminating negative stereotypes in company advertising and discrimination in the selection of media placement. Companies subscribing to the Equality Principles would commit not to discriminate in the sale or purchase of goods or services on the basis of sexual orientation and will undertake to disseminate these policies in written form throughout their institutions. Discrimination against HIV positive employees or those with AIDS would likewise be strictly prohibited. Surveys have indicated that well over one hundred of America's largest companies already have written policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Increasingly, companies are offering domestic partner benefits from bereavement leave to participation in health insurance plans. Newer companies are on the cutting edge of these advances. Not bound by the prejudices of the past, they recognize the importance of providing equal opportunity and compensation to all their employees. As companies realize that their consumers are changing, new approaches to marketing are emerging. Consumer sophistication has demanded more sensitivity to issues of concern to lesbians and gay men, and companies are responding. This initiative seeks to expand support from the business community, through the action of individual corporations and institutions, and through the vehicle of socially responsible investing. Institutional investors, notably pension funds, foundations, religious institutions and universities will be encouraged to incorporate the Equality Principles in their own investment decision-making. As this campaign for widespread adoption of the Equality Principles proceeds, it is my hope that the obvious benefits of an inclusive and supportive environment will inspire more companies and institutions to enlist in this effort. We all will be reaching out within our own spheres to ensure that more organizations become endorsers and active participants in implementing the Equality Principles. Discrimination is wrong. It is imperative that active steps be taken to eliminate it. Despite years of struggle we have not eradicated discrimination based on race, religion, gender, disability or national origin. The struggles to erase prejudice are part of a proud history cast against a shameful backdrop of ignorance in our country. The fight to end discrimination based on sexual orientation is intrinsically bound up in the fight for full equality for all people. -30- The Equality Principles for Sexual Orientation are stated below: THE EQUALITY PRINCIPLES ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION To become successful in the ever-competitive world of business, a company must strive to create an environment in which all employees are treated with respect. Through the cultivating of diversity in the workplace, a company can draw fully upon the potential for creativity and commitment represented by all its employees. Implementation of these Equality Principles on Sexual Orientation are an important step in that direction. 1. Explicit prohibitions against discrimination based on sexual orientation will be included in the company's written employment policy statement. 2. Discrimination against HIV positive employees or those with AIDS will be strictly prohibited. 3. Employee groups, regardless of sexual orientation, will be given equal standing with other employee associations. 4. Diversity training will include sexual orientation issues. 5. Spousal benefits will be offered to domestic partners of employees, regardless of sexual orientation, on an equal basis with those granted to married employees. 6. Company advertising policy will bar negative sexual orientation stereotypes and will not discriminate in media advertising on the basis of sexual orientation. 7. Companies will not discriminate in the sale and purchase of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation. 8. Written non-discrimination policies on sexual orientation must be disseminated throughout the company. A senior company official will be appointed to monitor compliance corporate wide. WALL STREET PROJECT