The Out & Equal Town Call series features guest speakers presenting on current LGBT topics via monthly one hour webinars. They also provide in-depth information on major Out & Equal programs such as the annual Workplace Summit. Each session includes a presentation or discussion on issues faced by LGBT employees, polices, benefits, trends or breaking news. The Town Calls are designed to further the knowledge and tools for Employee/Business Resource Group members, HR Professionals, and Executives as well as meeting the needs of busy working professionals, federal, and non-profit employees. These calls are recorded and can be used at LGBT events and meetings for training within your organization.

Creating a True Rainbow in LGBT ERGs

Robin Terrell

Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale

Kirsten E Macpherson

Originally held February 28th, this Town Call offered a dynamic and interactive exploration of the inclusiveness of our ERGs for People of Color.  We discussed ways to better understand the experiences of LGBT employees who are often underrepresented in many workplaces.  We explored how bias is built into decision-making, and how it often creates blind spots in output and program planning.  Leaders of color – Robin Terrell, JD, MBA; Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale, Principal Consultant at Cook Ross, Inc.; and Kirsten E Macpherson, Project Manager at Boeing – moderated and lead the conversation. With them, we explored how our ERGs can become more inclusive, how to better collaborate with other ERGs within our organizations, and how to look at the role that ERGs can play in the creation of inclusive workplaces.

Watch our podcast!
Download the presentation [PDF]
Download the audio recording [MP3]

Please add your voice to the discussion by commenting below! And access the rest of the Out & Equal Town Call archives on our website.

April Hawkins

by April Hawkins, Senior Communications Associate | Israel and Palestine pose two very different situations for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights. Israel’s culture can be extremely conservative, but the law stands firmly on the side of equality: same-sex couples are allowed to adopt, enter into civil marriages, and benefit from the same inheritance rights as heterosexual couples. Transgender and gender non-conforming people serve in the army.

Palestine, on the other hand, is a complex patchwork of legality. In some parts of the Palestinian territories, being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is illegal. Palestinian laws are often changing based on the current political situation and the local climate is often informed by shari’a law, a strict legal system based on Qur’anic teachings. Many LGBT people have fled Palestine to find a more accepting environment in Tel Aviv, the gay mecca of the region.

In mid-February, Executive Founding Director Selisse Berry visited with leaders of both Israeli and Palestinian LGBT organizations, including Israel Gay Youth, Hoshen, and the Aswat Group, while participating in a leadership development excursion with a number of women leaders from the USA. Read more about her experience in our monthly newsletter OutLines here.

Renee Brown

by Renee Brown, SVP, Director of Social Media, Wells Fargo and member of Out & Equal’s Board of Directors | I have read about folks who live with clear boundaries in their lives and are able to say “no” to folks asking for their time and help. I happen to NOT be one of those people – and this adds up to both a strength and a weakness for me personally and professionally. When I was asked to serve as the Co-Chair for the 2012 Executive Forum – I don’t think I even asked any questions – I was on board and ready to go! The experience turned out to be as helpful to my professional development as it was helpful to Out & Equal to have Co-Chairs keeping things moving.

I recall two of my favorite moments from the last Executive Forum. Claudia Brind-Woody’s overview of international equality was the most eye-opening learning for me, and I have many times quoted that good work. The Leadership Celebration [now known as Momentum] at the end of the program offered fabulous entertainment and meaningful messages from the likes of Mayor Annise Parker, a true trailblazer.

The benefit to attendees of the Executive Forum is the intimate nature of the gathering of people like you – corporate executives who are out in their workplace. I assume a typical day in your life is to lead an organization, manage change, drive revenue, come out, cut expenses, come out again, and try to balance work and life. And, as you have advanced in your organization the amount of safe colleagues to share experiences with, to vent with, to get advice from dwindles with every step up the corporate ladder, and that circle can be even smaller for LGBT (lesbian,gay, bisexual, and transgender) executives. Organizations will get much more than their money’s worth in sending executives to this forum. It should be thought of as a down payment to the future success of your organization.

After attending the ExFo, I was able to positively impact change in my company related to the tax gross up for domestic partners. Having heard the path other corporations have taken, I helped our PRIDE network advance a proposal that was subsequently announced and will be implemented in January of 2014 – these are real successes driven by the connections made at the ExFo.

For any new ExFo attendees, the best way to prepare is to clear your calendar and plan to be disconnected from work. My first year at the ExFo, I thought I would pop in and out like I often do at larger conferences. Not with the ExFo – it is a small gathering and offers dedicated time for mentoring and deep discussion on issues of importance to you, your companies and your career. So, plan to be totally OOTO and fully engaged! I hope to see new smiling faces this Spring!

Executive Forum takes place April 23-25 in San Francisco at the Four Seasons hotel. ExFo will conclude with Momentum – Out & Equal’s Annual Leadership Celebration. At Out & Equal’s website, you can find more information about how to apply for ExFo and how to nominate your colleagues. The application deadline is March 1st.

by April Hawkins, Out & Equal Senior Communications Associate | President Obama’s State of the Union address was laden with messages of hope and advancement for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. In the first few minutes of his speech, he clearly stated:

It is our unfinished task to restore the basic bargain that built this country – the idea that if you work hard and meet your responsibilities, you can get ahead, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who you love.

President Obama committed to ensuring “equal treatment for all service members, and equal benefits for their families – gay and straight.” He specifically mentioned the forward motion of equality and called for Congress to pass the Violence Against Women Act. His words are evidence of an increasingly favorable climate for workplace reforms and set the stage for an executive order on federal contractors and add to momentum for an Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

“President Obama has been an outstanding ally to the LGBT community, and we thank him for his commitment. I hope that he will move forward on an Employment Non-Discrimination Act to protect all Americans regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Out & Equal Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry. “In 29 states, anyone can be fired simply for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. An all-inclusive ENDA would be a true forward motion of equality in the workplace, providing all Americans with legal protections from workplace harassment and discrimination.”

Liberté and Egalité?
Marriage Equality in France

2013 may be an outstanding year for marriage equality and adoption rights in France. The Assemblé National, France’s national assembly, approved a bill to legalize marriage equality and allow same-sex adoptions. The French Sénat will review the bill on April 2nd.

If the law passes the Sénat, it will be a monumental victory for equality in France. Until now, same-sex couples have been able to receive limited benefits under the French equivalent of civil unions. However, same-sex adoptions are nearly impossible. In fact, in 2007, France’s highest civil court, the Cour de Cassation, barred a woman from adopting her partner’s child.

Polls show that a majority of French voters support marriage equality.

Dark blue represents countries with full marriage equality.

One week from today Out & Equal will be internationally releasing the groundbreaking anthology Out & Equal at Work: From Closet to Corner Office, which you may have had the luck of previewing at the 2012 Workplace Summit in Baltimore. This Valentine’s Day the book will be available to everyone who values a world where no one has to choose between the career they love, and the person they love.

Edited by Out & Equal Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry, Out & Equal at Work chronicles personal narratives from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied executive trailblazers who have conquered adversity and ushered in policies that affirm and support the LGBT community in the workplace.

For us it goes without question: a moment like this welcomes celebration, so we’re hosting a free book launch party on the evening of February 12th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Book Passage Bookstore in the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Bring your friends and co-workers to enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments as well as a reading and Q&A with book contributors Tom Johnson, Vice President of The Clorox Company; Cynthia Martin, former President of Global Services at Eastman Kodak Company; and our own Selisse Berry.

Tom Johnson

Cynthia Martin

Selisse Berry

RSVP on Facebook and we’ll see you there.

Out & Equal sent three representatives to the 25th Creating Change Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, this year. (And it sounds like they all want to sign up for next year, too.) Here’s what they have to say about connecting with people who share the same passion for equality, witnessing LGBTQ youth in action, and presenting what they’ve learned throughout their own involvement with the LGBTQ equality movement:

Dani Siragusa and Q Wilson running the Out & Equal booth at Creating Change

Last week I was fortunate enough to finally attend the Creating Change Conference. I was excited to experience not only a conference comparable in size to the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, but also addressing relevant LGBTQ issues and topics. I was immediately touched by the large number of LGBTQ youth in attendance. Their enthusiasm and activism is such a wonderful insight into where the movement is headed. I was also inspired by the wide variety of attendees from the community and how inclusive the conference is. As a bisexual female, I was happy to have the Bisexual Hospitality suite available as a space to either connect with others or just a relax or work between events. I moderated my first panel on behalf of Out & Equal on Getting Corporate Partners: How the Business of Change Supports LGBT Efforts, which was an introductory level workshop focusing on how LGBT nonprofits can connect with and create lasting partnerships with corporations. I was joined by panelists Chip Newton from Deloitte and Kris Christy from Turner Broadcasting System. The class was incredibly engaged and eager to learn more about how Out & Equal has been so successful with connecting and retaining corporate partnerships. I would definitely recommend this conference to anyone wanting to learn more about any LGBTQ issues. Whether you are an activist, educator or just curious, Creating Change offers the resources and space for your needs.
Dani Siragusa, Associate Director of Events

This was my third Creating Change and I enjoyed the experience this time just as much as I did the first. The energy and intensity of the participants runs high over Creating Change’s five day run. The diversity of age of the attendants is always an amazing thing to me. With over 350 workshops there was something of interest to me in each session. One of the things I enjoy most about Creating Change is the opportunity to network with people and organizations I don’t normally get the chance to network with. I met so many people while working the Out & Equal booth, presenting my workshop, and attending various sessions.  I’m truly looking forward to collaborating with all the talented new people I met! Congratulations on 25 wonderful years of Creating Change. I can’t wait to see what the next 25 have in store!
Q Wilson, Senior Training Associate

Out & Equal CEO Selisse Berry with Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey and her partner Margaret Conway

Creating Change was an inspiring opportunity to share ideas with other lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates. I joined Executive Directors from a range of LGBT advocacy organizations for a one day intensive program, and participated in an important discussion on how we can work together to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our lifetime! It was a powerful couple of days. I continued the conversation with the Out & Equal Atlanta Regional Affiliate that evening, and we spoke about the great opportunities this year to advance LGBT workplace equality following President Obama’s inaugural address, and his speech to Creating Change.
Selisse Berry, Out & Equal CEO

By Brianna Nelson | As a relatively new member of the Out & Equal team, I’m participating in the most recent installment of Out & Equal University’s online Building Bridges course – lead by Director of Training & Professional Development, Pat Baillie, and Senior Program Associate, Q Wilson.

The Building Bridges Toward LGBT Diversity series is a three-part training course, and targets senior executives, managers, human resources and diversity professionals, customer service representatives and the general employee population – including those working in social services, faith communities, and governmental and educational settings. The training fosters increased awareness to develop a healthier and safer workplace where all employees are engaged in the mission of the organization, increasing the level of comfort for all and improving communication between LGBT and straight employees and the customers they serve. Plus, the Building Bridges training plays an integral role in Out & Equal Workplace Advocates’ founding history and the development of our mission.

Going into my first Building Bridges training two Tuesdays ago, my personal expectations for the session weren’t well-defined, but I figured that I would most likely be hearing a condensed version of what I’ve come to learn more sporadically throughout my experience, not only as an individual who places themselves under the LGBT umbrella, but also, as someone involved in queer-activism since starting their high school GSA (not so many years ago, but enough years ago).

First poll: Do you know someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender?

However, I found the highly interactive experience of ‘Building Bridges: Part One’ beneficial beyond introducing LGBT history, current issues, and terms and language. Pat and Q have done a great job incorporating participant polls and exercises throughout the entirety of the introductory presentation, as well as a number of questions that open up the phone line to everyone. I’m especially grateful for this aspect of the session, as it allows participants 1) to practice discussing, sharing, and applying the topics covered in the training and 2) to hear many perspectives from individuals experiencing a myriad of workplace climates that differ based on job sector, level, and geographic location, as well as how the individual identifies.

In ‘Part Two’ of the course, we looked more closely at the importance of LGBT equality in the workplace for all employees. Not only does the presentation work to help participants understand the significance of gaining equal benefits and protections in the workplace, but it also begins to show participants how they can successfully communicate these points back to their employers and employees. I’m looking forward to discussing the role of allies in moving toward workplace equality and developing specific action plans next week in ‘Building Bridges: Part Three’.

Though the live version of Building Bridges is only offered in January, the course is recorded annually and available throughout the year. Building Bridges is also part of the Core Course Bundle, which includes three additional Out & Equal University trainings. You can access a sample recording of Building Bridges online; this free, recorded session was held with Central Iowa’s Society for Human Resource Management.

Keep in mind that if you’d like to participate in Train the Trainer (like myself!), Building Bridges is a pre-requisite. So, start your Building Bridges course sooner rather than later.

You can read more about Out & Equal University training online.

The 2012 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) showed a 46% response rate from federal employees – the largest since the survey’s first distribution in 2002. For the first time the FEVS included Self Identification (Self ID) information about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) identification, veteran status, and disabilities.

2012 results for these items indicate:

• Approximately one third of respondents served on Active Duty;
• 13 percent of respondents shared they had a disability; and
• Responses from the LGBT community were just over two percent.

Correlation between participant Self ID responses and participants viewpoints on their workplace experiences showed that:

While differences in Veteran Status and part-time/full-time work schedule had no discernible differences in scores on any index, considerable differences were noted across disability status and the LGBT-inclusion item. Employees who indicated having a disability responded substantially less positive across all index scores. Similar findings are evident for those employees who self-identified as a member of the LGBT community.

To take a closer look at the breakout of these responses, turn to the “Special Topics” section of the FEVS report starting on page 19.

For companies and organizations beginning their movement toward LGBT diversity and inclusiveness with Self ID surveys, this report may provide some helpful examples. And in the grand scheme of the LGBT equality movement, these survey results serve as a baseline regarding workplace change for federal employees.

Selisse Berry with Michael Adams, Eliza Byard, Jean Freedberg and other friends at the Inauguration

By Selisse Berry,  Out & Equal Founding Executive Director | I was proud to stand at the Capitol Building today and watch as the President gave his inaugural address, while my colleagues in San Francisco marched in the Martin Luther King Day parade. It was a historic day because it falls on Martin Luther King Jr Day, in the wake of the 150th anniversary of the emancipation proclamation.

It was also a truly historic day for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community because the President spoke clearly in support of LGBT rights twice during his address. He recognized the battles fought by the LGBT community by citing the Stonewall Riots along with Seneca Falls and Selma, legendary moments in the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements. By praising this monumental event in LGBT history, the President demonstrated that he values LGBT rights as human rights.

President Obama also spoke clearly in support of marriage equality, stating “our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated equally under the law. For if we are truly equal, then surely the love that we commit to one another must be equal as well.”

He also cited diversity and openness as important American values, and acknowledged that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work. Out & Equal applauds President Obama for his courage, his vision, and his dedication to equality.

View more pictures of the inauguration on Out & Equal’s Facebook page.

If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to find a career that allows you to be your whole, authentic self in the workplace – a promise that deserves to be kept, now is the time to act.

This month Out & Equal launches its new LGBTCareerLink resource, with user-friendly and optimized changes to make finding the right job easier and more reliable. The steps to getting started are simple, and it only takes a few minutes to create a free Out & Equal LGBTCareerLink job seeker account. Once your account has been set up, you can upload a searchable resume and begin to use advanced search options to find positions that provide you with a good fit. You can also set up individualized email notifications of new job openings; these suggestions are based on your preferences regarding position level, salary, industry, field, location, and type.

Out & Equal has a number of founding partners in establishing the new LGBTCareerLink job board, including:

• Hewlett-Packard
• Brown-Forman
• The Colorox Company
• PNC
• United Health Group
• Comcast
• Ernst & Young
• Wellpoint
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company
• BP
• T-Mobile

These companies and organizations value the diversity and inclusion that you seek in the workplace, and organizations joining this list in the search for qualified, suitable LGBTQ job candidates – like yourself! – increase in number every day.

(Visit our employer opportunities and products page to learn more about representing your company or organization on Out & Equal’s LGBTCareerLink – either through continued sponsorship or the occasional job post.)

As an LGBTQ or Allied job seeker, know that you can find a position and employer that reflects, shares, and respects your values. And you can find them now because you’re not the only one searching; inclusive employers are looking for you, too. Add your resume to the LGBTCareerLink database.