From: NGLTF@aol.com Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 10:39:13 -0400 Subject: Workplace Conference Draws Hundreds ************************************ PRESS RELEASE National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 2320 17th St. NW; Washington, DC 20009 Contact: Kerry Lobel (202) 332-6483 ext. 3307 klobel@ngltf.org or Tracey Conaty (202) 332-6483 ext. 3303 tconaty@ngltf.org ************************************ "OUT AND EQUAL IN THE 90'S" CONFERENCE DRAWS 400 CORPORATE EXECS, GAY EMPLOYEES TO FIGHT WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION San Francisco, April 23, 1996... Despite a pernicious backlash to gay visibility and power by politicians and the Radical Right, including anti-marriage laws and attacks by Patrick Buchanan, Bob Dole and state legislators, some of the most dramatic change in terms of pro-gay policy is happening in corporate America. Indeed, when it comes to equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, some would argue the boardroom is far outpacing the halls of government. For example, more than 350 employers, many from corporate America -- including such top companies as Disney, Eastman-Kodak, NYNEX and Xerox -- currently have domestic partnership benefits or other recognitions for their gay employees. And even though job discrimination based on sexual orientation is still pervasive, the list of supportive companies is expected to grow dramatically. Which is why hundreds of representatives from the American workplace, including corporations, employee groups, human resource executives, labor organizers and others gathered in San Francisco for the 5th Annual "Out and Equal in the 90s" National Conference on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Workplace Issues, held April 19-21. The event was sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). "'Out and Equal in the 90s' is the premier national educational forum for people dedicated to changing the work environment to be a safer, more productive place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees," said Melinda Paras, NGLTF executive director. "Despite the fact that homophobic discrimination still exists, the face of the American workplace is changing. Our goal is to increase the visibility and strength of gay employees and help them battle discrimination in the workplace." Several companies sponsored the conference and representatives from their gay employee groups attended. AT&T sponsored the event with a $5,000 gift. Pacific Gas and Electric also contributed $5,000. The Chevron Lesbian and Gay Employees Association, Pacific Bell, The Mentor Group and Federal GLOBE also signed up for sponsorships. "AT&T, in partnership with LEAGUE, our lesbian/gay/bisexual employee resource group, is proud to support NGLTF's fifth annual conference on workplace issues," said AT&T Community Involvement Manager Allen Scott and LEAGUE-Northern California Co-chair Michael Albert. "The conference's focus reflects AT&T's Common Bond values that include the importance of treating each other with respect and dignity, and valuing individual and cultural differences." Keynoting the special pre-conference institute for human resources (HR) executives was Hector Motroni, Corporate vice president of Human Resources and Quality, Xerox Corporation. Kate Butler, founding director of American Humanagement Associates, a human resources consulting and training firm specializing in the integration of women and other "corporate cultural foreigners" into companies, provided the HR day lunch speech. Frank Kameny, long-time civil rights activist, delivered the conference keynote address. The conference attracted about 400 people, who came from 20 states and attended some 40 workshops. Workshops included, "What's New In AIDS Education;" "Protecting Your Civil Rights;" "Case Study: Growing the Xerox Lesbian/Gay Employee Group;" "Dealing with Closeted People in Positions of Power;" "Gay Parents in the Workplace;" "Diversity Training;" "Labor Dialogue: Fighting the Right;" "Activism and the Professional Career;" "Screening for Gay-friendly Workplaces;" and "Gays are Franchising!" Some 175 groups and companies attended, including Lotus, Xerox, Disney, AT&T, Hewlett Packard, Prudential, General Mills, Kaiser-Permanente, USDA, Pacific Gas and Electric, American Express, Apple, the University of Louisville and the University of South Florida, SEIU, Pride At Work, Oracle, DHL, Intel, Outward Bound, the San Francisco Unified School District, Pacific Bell, United Airlines, Chevron, New York Public Library Guild, Novell, American Airlines, AFSCME, the United Way, and others. A special NGLTF "Out and Equal in the '90" Award was presented to Working Assets for its demonstrated commitment and progress on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employment issues. NGLTF also presented workplace awards to the Xerox and Chevron gay employee groups. Visit the "Out and Equal in the 90's" web page at http://www.ngltf.org/workplace.html. ###