The 2002 Workplace Awards were presented at the Awards Gala at the 2002 Out & Equal Workplace Summit in Orlando.

Individual Awards

Out & Equal Trailblazer Award

For an LGBT person who has made a significant contribution to advancing workplace equality. This individual's activities will have made a marked improvement in their own workplace or have contributed to equality nationally.

2002 Trailblazer Award Winner
Dr. Louise Young
Louise Young came of age in activism at the University of Colorado's Gay Liberation Front in 1971, and has spent 31 years working for equality for LGBT persons. She founded Raytheon's first LGBT employee group and worked with corporate leaders to implement both a non-discrimination policy and DP benefits. Dr. Young has served on HRC's Business Council since 1997 and was its first co-chair.

2002 Trailblazer Finalists

• Leonard Hirsch
• Kathleen Marvel
• Steve Sanders
• Rick Schroder

Out & Equal Champion for Workplace Equality Award

For a non-LGBT person who has played a pivotal role in championing equal treatment of LGBT employees on the job. This individual will have shown a unique commitment to LGBT workplace rights and will have used his or her talents to further that cause, even at some risk.

2002 Champion Award Winner
William Perez, CEO of SC Johnson & Son
Bill Perez sponsored the creation of the gay and lesbian employee resource group and personally attends its meetings. Bill was also the first person to mention gay and lesbian employees at an all company meeting broadcast to every SC Johnson site in the world, stating that "believe me, gays and lesbians are part of our family."

2002 Champion Finalists

• Monica Emerson
• Terry Howard
• Gloria Johnson
• Jaki White

Organizational Awards

Out & Equal Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Employee Group of the Year

For a particular employee resource group that has a proven track record of success in advocating for LGBT equal rights in its own workplace and in the community at large.

2002 Employee Group of the Year Award Winners
SEA Shell
The gay and lesbian employee group at Shell Oil Co., has raised the company's profile and citizenship in the LGBT community. SEA Shell along with their Executive Advisory Board met with the Houston area United Way President to discuss the Boy Scouts issue. They encouraged Shell's CEO to endorse ENDA and testify in favor of the bill before a Senate panel. Shell's CEO was also the keynote speaker at Houston's HRC Dinner.

2002 Employee Group of the Year Finalists

• eQuality at eFunds
• Ford GLOBE
• GLBC at SC Johnson & Son, Inc.

Out & Equal Award for Significant Achievement in 2002

For any employer that has made significant strides in advancing a fair and equitable workplace for its LGBT employees during the previous year such as: announcing domestic partner benefits, contributing to a community organization or initiating a unique advertising campaign.

2002 Significant Achievement Award Winner
JP MorganChase
Chase has made significant strides in advancing a fair and equitable workplace for all of its employees including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees. Its major accomplishments in the year 2002 include the addition of "transgender" to Corporate Equal Employment Opportunity policies; increased funding for networking groups and community non-profit organizations; and specialized advertising for Emerging Markets that specifically included LGBT consumers.

2002 Significant Achievement Finalists

• Bank One Corporation
• Raytheon

Out & Equal Award for Workplace Excellence

For any employer that has an historic and ongoing commitment to civil rights for LGBT employees in their own workplace and beyond. This employer has a history of continually raising the bar of workplace equality for others to follow.

2002 Workplace Excellence Award Winner
American Airlines
American Airlines has earned its distinction as a global leader in serving its loyal LGBT customers, and providing workplace fairness for its employees. As one of only thirteen U.S. corporations to earn a perfect score on the HRC's Corporate Equality Index. American not only makes LGBT issues a priority internally, but has been one of the most generous supporters of LGBT causes. With a dedicated LGBT sales team, American sets the standard for others to follow.

2002 Workplace Excellence Finalists

• Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
• Kaiser Permanente