The 2006 Out & Equal Workplace Summit offerED an extensive catalogue of workshops related exclusively to LGBT workplace issues. These workshops offer insight, skills, and resources to support the value of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members of the workplace community.
Summit workshop schedule (PDF)
Online workshop schedule
2006 Workplace Summit Program Book (PDF)
Building Bridges Transgender: Speaker’s Bureau Training
Amy Andre, Jamison Green, Donna Rose
Building Bridges Transgender is a specific program that focuses on the T in LGBT. The purpose of this diversity training is to break down barriers between transgender and nontransgender employees, provide essential information for human resource professionals who work with employees in transition, and encourage participants to reflect on how gender roles in society affect their workplace experience. In this Seminar, participants experience a rich curriculum and then determine how it can be implemented in their organizations. Participants receive the necessary tools to effectively deliver a one-and-a-half-hour presentation.
ERG Effectiveness: Overcoming Challenges and Improving Organizational Effectiveness of your Employee Resource Group
Jim Huberty, JPMorgan Chase; Robert Perez, Raytheon; Louise Young, Raytheon
This daylong workshop brings together LGBT employee resource group (ERG) leaders from diverse industries, networks, and locations with the aims of identifying the opportunities and challenges facing ERGs in today’s social and corporate environments. With a focus on organizational development, leaders will share best practices and discuss strategic planning and assessment. This private workshop is only available to members of the Out & Equal ERG Registry.
LGBT Leadership Development
Jennifer Brown, Lori Fox, Tim Kincaid, Paula Jones
LGBT leaders learn to explore the necessary critical attitudes and skills for sound leadership. Participants examine the competencies and values that define excellent leaders and identify their unique strengths, opportunities and patterns of interaction. By questioning ways in which LGBT and other identities hinder and facilitate effective leadership, participants leave with an action plan to address their ongoing development.
Understanding Whiteness/Unraveling Racism: A Model for Diversity Work Within and Outside the LGBT Community
Laurie Lippin
As so-called targeted individuals we in the LGBT community have a responsibility to ourselves, and to the future of a truly diverse society, to question how we have been socialized to maintain whiteness—and then do something about it. This training seminar is for self-identified white people and people of color to address the “diversity within our diversity.” Designed to facilitate an existing exploration of racial identity, we offer a carefully structured curriculum that addresses the concept of whiteness. We hope attendees will apply what they learn in their individual workplace initiatives.
10 More Things LGBTs and Allies Should Know about ERGs
Carlos Ferreiro, Gayle Gibson, Dennis Lo, Jane Marie Rosenbohm
This workshop includes fun learning for those interested in starting or improving their LGBT Employee Resource Group. Come compete in a game show for prizes, sponsored by DuPont. Useful information on ERGs—including DuPont's 15 years of learning on being global, leveraging allies, and the power of inclusion that comes from working with other affinity group networks. Add to the fun facts and categories in the game show by sharing your own experiences.
2005 Workplace Fairness Survey: Results and Applications
Beverly Tillery
The 2005 Workplace Fairness Survey, conducted by Lambda Legal and Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP is the largest poll of LGBT people on workplace issues in the last decade. The key findings help illustrate the extent to which employment discrimination is still a reality for lesbians and gay men. The results are a valuable resource for all employees working to create a more LGBT friendly environment in their workplace. In this participatory workshop, we will review the survey results, highlighting key findings and conclusions, and discuss ways employee resource groups can use this data to help inform their employers about the benefits of creating an LGBT friendly workplace.
A Culture of Respect: How GE's Values Support the Creation and Growth of the LGBT Employee Resource Group
Heather Apple, Karen Morgan
The success of GE - Aviation's LGBT Alliance is due to the integration of the Alliance's goals with GE's corporate goals and values. This workshop will explore how effective, clearly defined corporate values encourage the creation/growth of ERGs. For LGBT groups, a clear line must exist between company values and personal values in order to succeed. The workshop also demonstrates how metrics help to identify gaps and define goals and strategies for our LGBT Alliance.
Achieving Outcomes Even in Places where it is Difficult to Come Out
Todd Y. Bennett, Ron Hunt
Within many markets and locales around the country, interested LGBT employees have little difficulty accessing and promoting a vibrant ENG. However, there are also communities that do not see tolerance as a virtue. Community structures, coworkers, midlevel managers, and even LGBT staff themselves may present challenges to making a nondiscrimination clause a living, functional reality. This workshop will present strategies for employees and HR staff to overcome these barriers.
Authentic Leadership—Building Trust and Influence as an LGBT Leader
Paula S. Jones
Leadership success is built on self-awareness, trust, vision, courage, and accountability. Because of our unique relationship to mainstream culture, LGBT people have a constant opportunity to build this success just by being who we are. In this interactive workshop, we will explore how the choices we make about managing our lives and identities can help us become authentic, effective leaders—whether advocating for LGBT workplace concerns or carrying out our normal responsibilities—and develop a strategy for building leadership success after the conference.
B & T: The Silent Letters in LGBT
Susan Gore, Janine D. Johnson
Susan Gore and Janine Johnson share their lifetime's worth of experience in giving voice to the all-too-often "silent letters" in LGBT. How much do you know about bisexuality or transgender identity? What assumptions do you make when you see a same gender couple? This workshop is for anyone interested in better understanding the human condition (and sometimes hilarious dilemmas) of being bisexual or transgender.
Be Real: Stories from Queer America
Stephanie K. Blackwood, Susan Gore, Ph.D., Arthur Korant
Authenticity is the subject of Be Real: Stories from Queer America. This 52-minute documentary examines the lives of six LGBT Americans who have inspired extraordinary change in their communities. The cast is a cross-section of queer America in the 21st century—embodying confounding complexity, heart-rending drama, and the impact of life-affirming genuineness on family, friends, neighbors, employees, co-workers, clients, and strangers.
Black, Woman, Lesbian & Crazy: Laughing At Life
Rosalyn Taylor O'Neale
In the 50s she discovered she was Black (and beautiful), the 60s were the feminist fog, and nothing prepared her for coming out in the 70s. This session will explore the intersection of race, gender, age, and sexual orientation. Explore how "passing" derails careers and limits choices. Discover why only shoes and coats can survive in the closet. HR, allies, and leaders will leave with tips, tools, and a smile.
Breaking through the Lavender Ceiling: Executive Panel Discussion
Tara Bunch, Mike Feldman, Jamison Green, Terry Hildebrandt, Rita Lane
A panel of lesbian and gay executives from leading corporations will share their experiences of being out in their companies. Learn the risks and rewards of being an out leader today. Topics covered will include developing a network of allies, the challenge of coming out every day, dealing with homophobic employees and peers, and the advantages of being out. The executives will share their stories and take questions from the audience.
Bringing Your LGBT Leadership Skills to the Nonprofit Sector: What's In It for You?
Michelle MacGaffey, Rick Partridge
This workshop will explore some of the issues presented in the Out & Equal Workplace Advocates panel on "National LGBT Nonprofit Strategies and Partnerships Supporting Workplace Equality" and guide the participants in further discussion around the status of LGBT rights in the non-profit sector. HR professionals and ERG leaders can take their expertise and knowledge and support nonprofits in their community through service on boards (will include education about opportunities/myths and realities) and advice/input on policy changes (such as nondiscrimination policy and domestic partner benefits). ERGs will learn about volunteering at nonprofits for teambuilding. We will also discuss career opportunities for LGBT leaders who may be considering leaving the private sector for career opportunities in nonprofits, where some 640,000 new managers will be needed over the next decade.
Building a Bi-Friendly ERG (Featured Session)
Panelists: Cara V. Baiocchi, Ernst & Young; Wendy Curry, Freescale Semiconductor; Moderated by: Sheeri Kritzer
This is a featured panel for ERG (employee resource group) leaders on the topic of being bi-inclusive and fostering involvement from bi coworkers in their groups. ERG representatives who are looking for ways to create a bi-friendly environment will benefit from attending this featured panel event. The panelists are all bisexual people who are themselves active leaders in their ERGs.
Chevron's Global HIV/AIDS Initiative: Policy and Implementation
Kevin Grice, Joe Macaluso
Chevron, recognizing a need to educate its workforce and support local community efforts relative to HIV/AIDS, is implementing a global initiative of education programs, treatment, and voluntary testing assistance in countries strategic to its operations. Discussion will focus around the business imperative, the details of Chevron's program and the challenges inherent therein.
Completing the Circle of Corporate Advocacy: What Your Company Needs to Know About LGBT Supplier Diversity
Lourdes Diaz, Christine Crespo, Mark T. Ng, John Barry
This session will explore the growth of LGBT supplier diversity certification through the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Participants will hear from corporate supplier diversity leaders how companies have built a powerful business case for inclusion of LGBT suppliers in their diverse supply chain. Attendees will learn what is being done to ensure that a corporation's supply chain looks like its customer base or the customer base it is trying to attract.
Connecting with Tomorrow's LGBT Workforce Today
Riley Folds
Recruiting and retaining the best and brightest college undergraduates is becoming increasingly competitive. When it comes to targeted campus recruitment efforts, one often overlooked demographic on campus is the LGBT community. This interactive presentation will show participants why adding an LGBT recruitment component to an overall campus recruitment strategy makes "dollars and sense." Participants will have the opportunity to examine and share their current recruitment initiatives and learn how to adapt and market those initiatives to the LGBT campus community.
Creating a Super-ERG: Strategies for Partnering with Non-LGBT Employee Resource Groups
Diana Castano, Bob Ellsworth, Tony Gingiss, Kent Hamilton
Partnering with non-LGBT ERGs not only increases ally base, but it also significantly improves the efficiency of each individual ERG. Benefits include increased participation, momentum through numbers, understanding of each other's issues, and in advocacy. In effect, you create a "Super-ERG" which is more effective and more fully embraces and delivers on the company's "diversity" message. This session will investigate some strategies for creating these partnerships, provide real world examples from Boeing experiences, and provide an interactive workshop to develop an actual plan framework.
Developing Written Workplace Guidelines: Transitioning & Gender Nonconforming Employees
Ben Hladilek, Sam Rubino, Brad Salavich, Riki Wilchins
Over 120 major corporations have implemented Equal Employment Opportunity policies and workplace transition support guidelines that include gender identity and expression. The process of crafting comprehensive policies for gender nonconforming employees and written guidelines to help support workplace transitions can be difficult and time consuming, especially because transitioning and transgender employees are often a new topic for HR departments and they present very specific policy needs. Major corporations like Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and IBM have already developed such policies and guidelines. Come hear from leaders in the field about best-in-class practices and their experience implementing them, and how GenderPAC's new sample policy guidelines can help your company stay ahead of the curve.
Diversity Champions: Engaging Major Employers in the United Kingdom and Beyond (Featured Session)
Panelists: Michael Blackburn, BT; Rich Westphal, Accenture; Damian Murphy, Citigroup; Moderated by: Stephen Frost, Stonewall
This session will explore how Stonewall, Europe's largest gay equality organization, and major international organizations have worked together to achieve tangible results ranging from changing law to shifting workplace attitudes. Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of how to engage organizations to better achieve equality in the workplace.
DL (Down Low) vs. LGBT
Byron S. Stewart
Darnell and Brad have been dating seriously and in secret since they were assigned to the same team. Bard, who is white, is out at work and a member of the LGBT employee resource group. Darnell, who is Black, is on the DL (down low) and a member of the African American network group. DL vs. LGBT is a funny and revealing 15-minute scene that explores the complexities of being out at work and in life from two very different perspectives. The scene is followed by a facilitator-led Q&A with the actors remaining in character, and small and large group discussion. Presented by Dramatic Diversity.
Don't Shoot the Messenger: How to Communicate LGBT Inclusivity
Randy A. Carswell, Eric C. Peterson
Our community is enjoying unprecedented success in our efforts to be open and position ourselves as an asset to our organizations. But there are those within our organizations who are resistant to that message and still others who want to encourage inclusivity but don't know how. In this increasingly dynamic environment, the way organizations craft and deliver their internal communications around diversity—and the LGBT community in particular—can be a key success factor in our organizations' efforts to be a great place for LGBT people to work, succeed, and thrive. Hear some of the best practices for internal communication used at Booz Allen Hamilton, and bring some of your own to share.
Employee Resource Group Influence on Corporate Philanthropy/Marketing
Robbin Burr, Dr. Patrick Sheahan
Corporate marketing and philanthropy decision makers often look to your Employee Resource Group for advice. How do you help them decide which LGBT organizations make good partners for marketing and philanthropy? What can your company expect from the LGBT organizations they support and what should the LGBT organization expect in return? This workshop helps ERG leaders understand what Corporate Affairs and Marketing Directors expect from financial support to LGBT organizations.
Employer Policy Tools for Employee Gender Transition
Dr. Jillian Todd Weiss
This advanced workshop discusses the benefits and problems of various policy tools for organizational responses to gender transition. It does not address the issues involved in simple addition of "gender identity and expression" to EEO policies. We will review, in detail, policy recommendations for various foreseeable issues in the gender transition context, such as notification and mediation processes and creating clear facilities usage criteria. In addition to discussion of policy tools, we will also use role-playing and experiential exercises to give participants a feel for using these policy tools in real life situations. A set of comprehensive guidelines now in use by a Fortune 500 company will be handed out and discussed in detail.
Empowering LGBT Allies in the Workplace
Jane Clark, Laurie Mancuso, Ginny Meredith, Linda Strauss-Jones, Lisa Vitale
An integral ingredient for success toward achieving equality and inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people is the LGBT Ally. HR and diversity professionals are natural allies to LGBT employees in their jobs, but are not just born into these roles. We need to grow and develop into them. The journey is unique—stimulated from life's events, encouraged and discouraged along the way, and extremely personal to the individual. The journey creates challenges both professionally and personally. In this interactive workshop, members of the Lambda Network at Kodak will share how we have encouraged and leveraged allies to create an environment where everyone counts. We will discuss aspects of "coming out" as an ally, educational opportunities, and the need for ally support in the LGBT journey through mechanisms such as ERGs, HR, families, etc., and some challenges the LGBT community presents to allies.
Energizing Your ERG and Building a Corporate Image via Nonprofit Partnerships
Susan Foulds, Jeremy A. Weinstein
Participants will learn about nonprofit organizations and the many ways to work with them to benefit their local communities and raise corporate awareness of social issues, while strengthening and energizing their ERGs in the process.
ENGagement
Karen Hostetler, Regina Turner, Ron Zinnerman
What is your strategy for increasing the connectivity of your network to your straight allies? At Chase, we are building solid alliances between our Employee Networking Groups (ENG). We would like to share our strategies and a few of the success stories, as well as lead a discussion of best practices at your company.
Engaging Allies as a Successful Component of Your LGBT Employee Resource Group Strategy
Elizabeth Walzel
The Gays, Lesbians, and Allies at Dow (GLAD) strategy from the outset included a goal of 70% ally participation. Setting and meeting this goal helped the group quickly achieve many of its other objectives, including fully inclusive corporate policies and benefits. This workshop will focus on why allies are an important strategy component and how you can make use of these advocates in your workplace for driving culture change. (This would be an updated version of the content presented in 2004, enhanced with what we have learned and done since then.)
Enhancing Your Global LGBT Strategy through Your ERG
Gregory Manko, Andrew McFarland, Andrew Camacho, Jean-Luc Vey
Building on the success of this workshop at the 2005 Summit, representatives of the Deutsche Bank LGBT employee resource group in the Americas, UK, and Germany—and from the Bank's Global Diversity Team—will present our activities worldwide and pinpoint the challenges and potential of a global employee network. We will also offer a practical group exercise on the experience of founding an international LGBT employee resource group, focusing on the "dos and don'ts" as well as the potential risks and rewards.
ERG Food for Thought: How McDonald's is Learning to Push the Envelope
Kevin Bradley, Richard Ellis, Jesse Pamperin, Liz Winfeld
M-GLAN is McDonald's Gay, Lesbian, and Ally Network. M-GLAN embarked upon a unique learning experience, taking steps into uncharted territories for this cultural giant. McDonald's made news when it included sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination policy and it made news again when it beat its competitors to the punch with domestic partner benefits. Now M-GLAN—comprised of two (US and Worldwide) corporate headquarters, and three North American Divisions divided into 21 regions; an organization that not only has a corporate ownership base but also an owner operator base—is bravely addressing a problem common to so many ERGs. That is, how do you get membership, movement, and activity out beyond the "safe" walls of the HQ? Come find out what such an effort entails and how it's being addressed at a household name.
Few & Far Between: Virtually Connecting in a Decentralized Environment
John Buchta, Chris Crespo, Mayella Gockel, Susan Nick, John Tester
How do you connect and engage people spread across 100 locations throughout the US and Canada in offices of varying size, culture, and interest? Join us as we share our experiences in starting and establishing bEYond, the employee resource group at Ernst & Young. We will discuss strategies for engaging participants locally and virtually across North America, using both grassroots efforts and a top down approach.
For Better and For Worse: Update on Legislation Concerning LGBT Employees
Ian Hlawati, Michelle Phillips
This workshop will explore the new proposed and pending legislation that will impact LGBT employees—for better and for worse. Participants will learn about pending state and federal legislation encouraging equality in the workplace, and legislation aimed at curtailing the advance of LGBT rights. This interactive workshop will provide strategies for participants to stay informed about these new developments and suggestions to affect change in their communities.
- PowerPoint available by special request. Please email Alisha Klatt.
From Queer Eye to Brokeback Mountain, the Changing Face of LGBT People on Camera
Jayzen Patria
In this panel discussion, hear from NBC Universal's television and film industry professionals on the changing state of LGBT themes and characters in mainstream media.
Gay Market Trends
Jennifer Chrisler, Wesley Combs, Chance Mitchell, Sabrina Riddle, Joy Silver
The LGBT market is thriving, despite attempts by religious conservatives to issue boycotts. The estimated buying power of the 2009 LGBT community is $745 billion, up 16% from today's buying power of $641 billion. But it is not just about selling alcohol or airline seats to this brand loyal segment anymore. Come learn the impact that LGBT families, LGBT seniors, lesbians, and corporate supplier diversity programs are having on how strategies are developed.
Gender and the Law
Danny Baker, Rachel Goldman
There is now a welter of workplace equality protections for gender identity and/or expression in state and local legislatures, federal appellate courts, state courts, and state agencies. Even the Supreme Court has weighed in. To date, 23 states have some form of workplace protection around gender identity or expression. Making matters more challenging, some include transgender while others expressly exclude it. Gender law now encompasses a wide array of workplace issues including same gender harassment, paternity leave, benefits for transitioning employees, dress codes, and discrimination against effeminate men or "butch" women. Many of these are new topics, and this area of law is changing quickly. Come discuss the latest developments and case law and how it affects your employees and your company.
Gender Identity and Expression: How to be Inclusive in the Workplace
Amanda Simpson
This workshop will examine why gender variant employees are becoming more visible in the workplace and explore the information that managers and co-workers need for the business to operate effectively. This will be an interactive workshop building upon the basics and working through the tools available to employers. Participants will discuss case studies, policies, and practices to familiarize themselves with techniques and skills they can use to shape an inclusive workplace.
Gender Identity and Expression: Why it's Right for the Workplace
Amanda Simpson
Many employers are finding they lack the basic information regarding people who are transgender, transsexual, or gender variant. Managers and co-workers have vital need for the information about transgenderism and how a person's gender identity and expression (and the workplace's reaction to it) affects the ability of the business to operate effectively. This workshop provides the basics to transgender workplace issues, including case studies regarding the inclusion of gender variant employees and workplace reactions.
Gender Transition Guidelines at JPMorgan Chase: A Success Story
Ray Flautt, Jan Fleming, Mary Ann Horton, Katheryn Kereluik, Drusilla Quilley
JPMorgan Chase has written guidelines for transgender employees who are transitioning in the workplace. The guidelines and tools provide support to transgender employees, their managers, and HR practitioners in planning and executing each unique situation. The panel of subject matter experts will tell the story of how PRIDE, JPMorgan Chase's LGBT ERG, worked with HR and legal to create guidelines, post them on the company's intranet, and train managers or HR personnel who have limited exposure to this issue.
Get Involved with Out & Equal
Tara Bunch, Alisha Diego Klatt
Would you like to be more involved with next year's Summit? This workshop provides participants with an overview of Summit volunteer opportunities and suggestions for developing strong workshop proposals or Out & Equal Workplace "Outie" Award nominations. Additionally, participants will learn how to connect with hundreds of employee resource groups through the Out & Equal ERG registry and make powerful local connections through the Out & Equal Regional Affiliate program. Get involved with Out & Equal —and have fun at the same time!
Getting as Close to Married as You Can Get
Chris Crespo, Jane Switzer
Although same gender couples can't achieve all the rights married, opposite gender couples have under State and Federal laws, this workshop will review how powers of attorney, wills, property titles, domestic partnership agreements, estate/tax/financial planning, employer services, insurance, etc., can be used to best protect the interests of same gender couples. Attendees will leave with an understanding of the current laws and a checklist of the issues to discuss with their partners, attorneys, financial planners, employers, and legislators.
Getting the Word Out: Podcasting
Stasha Goliaszewski
Technology today provides each individual with the ability to present ideas to the entire world using audio and video broadcasting (to everyone) and narrowcasting (to a few). Learn how to produce and host a podcast or an internet radio station. Learn how to produce programs that will educate and inform—topics could include "coming out," transitioning at work, and best practices—programs that ERG/AGs can easily use for internal and external use.
Getting to 100% Inclusion of Gender Identity and Expression
Janet Portzer, Marty St. Clair
Do you want to get your company to 100% on the HRC Corporate Equality Index? GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) scored well for a number of years on the CEI, but was still missing gender identity or expression in their nondiscrimination policies. Learn how GlaxoSmithKline's LGBT network productively collaborated with human resources to implement these policies.
Government Client Site Challenges for LGBT Employees
Bill DelGrosso, Zoe Dunning, Jack Jetmund, Diana Webber
This workshop will focus on the challenges and issues that many LGBT employees face when assigned to government client site support, especially for former military members who may face military colleagues in their new "out and equal" lives as civilian consultants. Equally important is the issue of how to "come out" successfully while being assigned to a client site that is not supportive of the LGBT community, even though your employer might be very progressive and supportive.
Harnessing the Power of Allies to Create a Positive and Productive Work Environment for All Employees
Jeffrey Gorczynski, Effin Logue, Sam Rubino, Janet Smith
The critical role that allies play in the struggle for LGBT equality in the workplace is an important part of making a network experience vital. Panelists will share best practices and techniques to identify, engage, and harness the power of ally support through personal stories. Additionally, methods to support and recognize allies as they journey through their own individual "coming out" process will be explored. This workshop is geared to meet the needs of both LGBT and ally employee resource group leaders and HR/Diversity leaders.
How Did THAT Happen? Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Leading Change at Chevron
Susan Brownlee, Mike Craig
Trial and error, stop and start, roadblocks, reversals, and even so-called "easy" wins are part of the experience for every employee resource group. So, how do you get past all that? Leaders from Chevron's LGBTA employee resource group will share its lessons learned in leading change—including how to align with corporate objectives, build a multi-year strategic plan, effectively partner with internal and external organizations, and respond to evolving LGBT workplace issues.
Human Development and Workplace Equality: Exploring How Our Organizational and Personal Values Impact Diversity Strategies
Terry Hildebrandt
Traditional diversity strategies focus on understanding horizontal differences such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. This workshop will explore a key vertical dimension of diversity—worldviews and values systems—based on the work of Clare W. Graves and Spiral Dynamics Integral. We will explore the various approaches to diversity management common at each level of development. We explore how to develop a workplace equality strategy that appeals to organizations and individuals at each of the eight levels.
Inspiring Audiences: Battling Apathy and Complacency around LGBT Issues through Powerful Public Speaking
Jennifer Brown
The success of anyone in a leadership role depends to a large degree on his or her ability to move audiences. This program is especially effective for corporate leaders who present strategic goals and messages, or whose job it is to energize, re-inspire, or redirect teams and initiatives. The workshop will aim to help the participants define charisma, craft an inspiring vision, and develop powerful stories that support the vision.
International LGBT Issues—Advanced Topics
Phillip Braun, Brad Salavich
This workshop will present a legal and cultural overview of LGBT issues outside of North America. Analysis of court decisions and legislation will be presented with a focus on Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. The material will be presented as it pertains to workplace programs, and especially for the implementation of global nondiscrimination policies. A question and answer period with Philipp Braun, co-secretary general of the International Gay & Lesbian Association, will be included.
International LGBT Workplace Issues - IBM and Swedish Armed Forces Case Study
Krister Fahlstedt, Brad Salavich
This workshop will look at methodologies for implementing an LGBT-specific diversity program in the workplace on an international basis. The two case studies that will be used are IBM and the Swedish Armed Forces. IBM has developed a program for the private sector built on a solid business case. The SAF public sector program is a European Union initiative to support the EU workplace directive.
Introduction to Building Bridges LGBT Diversity Training
Amy André
Learn more about Out & Equal's Building Bridges LGBT Diversity Training and how this powerful curriculum can benefit your organization. For over 16 years, Out & Equal's Building Bridges training program has been used to increase awareness of LGBT issues in the workplace, and has provided participants with tools to create more inclusive work environments. In this interactive workshop, Out & Equal certified trainers will present an overview of the program content and address questions about delivering this training in diverse workplace settings.
Legally Joined Couples on the Move
Ray Flautt, Drusilla Quilley
With more and more countries granting marriage or civil unions rights to LGBT couples, it is becoming more common for companies to be asked "what about my spouse?" when hiring new employees or relocating a current employee. This workshop will be a round-table discussion, gathering data for actions and sharing after the conference, as well as identifying steps we could be take in the near future.
Leveraging the Power of a Global ERG Council to Energize Regional ERGs
Terry Hildebrandt, Adam Wolf
Leaders of the Global PRIDE Council of Hewlett-Packard Company share their strategies and successes in coordinating 17 regional employee resource groups around the globe. This presentation will describe how to leverage resources and ideas to impact corporate and local community culture. We will discuss forming a global council, establishing and nurturing new international ERGs, along with issues of virtual communication, funding models, LGBT marketing, community outreach, internal education, and managing corporate politics.
Leveraging the Power of Executive Sponsors: The Case Study of Raytheon's LGBTA ERG
Patrick Coulter, Chase Hawkins, Louise Young, Ph.D.
A necessary component of your LGBT ERG's evolution from support group to strategic business partner is an engaged executive sponsor. There are specific strategies to increase the effectiveness of these critical allies. Six Raytheon LGBTA executive sponsors and 17 other management allies attended the 2005 Out & Equal Workplace Summit. One of our fine executive sponsors will join the panel to explain how Raytheon has created a winning team of executive sponsors and ERG members.
LGBT People of Color: Managing Multiple Identities at Work (Featured Session)
Speaker: Lupe Valdez; Hosted by Out & Equal's People of Color Advisory Committee
As a woman of color, an out lesbian, and a democrat, Sheriff Lupe Valdez was an unlikely candidate for the position as Dallas County Sheriff. On the day when she was elected to office, the Dallas Morning News stated, incredulously, that "Dallas county voters managed to shatter at least four different stereotypes in one fell swoop." In this featured address, Sheriff Valdez addresses the difficulty of representing and managing "at least four" disparate and complicated identities within the world of law enforcement in the conservative state of Texas.
LGBT Targeted Science and Technology Mentoring Programs: Employee Resource Group Participation
Rochelle Diamond, Stephanie Fox, Chase Hawkins, Michael O'Neal
The presence and contributions of LGBT scientists, engineers, and technical professionals has grown significantly over the last decade. Mentoring relationships to students and early career professionals are vital in increasing the workforce of highly skilled, globally competitive LGBT professionals. ERGs can link accomplished mentors with LGBT students and early career professionals. This workshop will highlight strategies that ERGs may employ to partner with existing LGBT and minority targeted mentoring resources to bring LGBT students into the science/technology workforce.
Making Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Education Remotely Possible
Liz Winfeld
This presentation explains what such education can realistically include and how to deliver it using the power of the web. The presenter will use technology in the form of screen captures to show participants a program designed and developed for organizations wishing to provide education on gender identity/expression in the workplace—exploring its content and its distribution methods.
Making the Business Case for DP Benefits: How to Engage Your Company's Senior Leadership
Eric Bloem, Cathy Woolard
Employees at companies across the country are making change by creating an internal strategy and business case for equal benefits. By providing senior leadership with an undeniable, relevant case, small groups of everyday employees have changed benefits policies for over a million employees over the last few years. This session will provide you with a way to network with other people in your shoes and the tools you need to create a sound business case.
Male-on-Male Sexual Harassment: An Emerging Issue
Danny Baker, Riki Wilchins
One in seven new sexual harassment cases reported to the EEOC is now male-on-male, double the rate from just 10 years ago and growing quickly. In one high profile case, Toys R Us was fined $250,000 and suffered millions of dollars in bad publicity. This is a category of claim that didn't exist just 20 years ago. The aggressive sexual taunting or teasing that once passed for "boys-will-be-boys" locker room horseplay is highly actionable—it is a form of harassment intimately tied to sexual orientation and gender expression. Join a presentation and wide-ranging discussion about this new area of law, what your company needs to know, and what you can do about it.
Mergers and Acquisitions: Merging ERGs
Lori Marin, Scott Primack
When mergers and acquisitions affect your company, how will your ERG respond? Learn from firsthand experience how Hewlett Packard not only responded but also became pro-active with demonstrating best practices, dealing with culture changes, and future ERG planning.
Negotiation Tips for LGBT and Straight Business Leaders
Martin P. Finkle
This workshop will give you eight key tips to success in negotiation with your ERG, the leaders in your corporation, your coworkers, your clients, or your partner—in your professional and personal lives. They are practical tips to be successful in gaining funding, marketing, position in the organization, time commitments, people commitments, or whatever you negotiate. Through stories and real world examples, you will gain practical ideas on how to trade better in your negotiations.
On the Edge of Change: The Role of Senior Leadership
Leslie A. Mays
Is senior leadership accountable for organizational change? Does your organization actively engage senior leadership in change processes that affect culture and people? In this workshop, attendees will learn firsthand how Pfizer is taking on this challenge as the organization implements its first worldwide strategic framework for diversity and inclusion, substantially shifting the role of senior leadership.
Out & Equal: Starting a Regional Affiliate
Amy André, Jennifer Brown, Steve Wasik
Looking for ways to continue the networking and educational programs you enjoyed at the Summit? Consider forming an Out & Equal regional affiliate in your home town. In this workshop, Out & Equal staff and regional affiliate leaders provide an overview of the Guidebook for Regional Affiliates, the "Events Planning Guide," and the affiliation process. Presenters will share best practices for creating an affiliate structure and calendar of dynamic events.
Out and "Outta Here!" The Hidden Bias and Barriers that Jeopardize LGBT Retention
Freada Kapor Klein, Ph.D.
Innovative research conducted by the Level Playing Field Institute is helping to answer the question: "Why do smart, talented LGBT employees voluntarily leave their corporate/professional positions—or abandon Corporate America altogether?" Freada Kapor Klein, founder of the institute, will discuss how implicit bias and hidden barriers in the workplace motivate LGBT professionals to resign voluntarily; as well as the targeted strategies that employers can adopt to improve LGBT retention.
"Out" Outside the Professional Services Firm/Sales Organization
Eldon R. Hills, Michael Rabinowitz
You made the decision to "come out" at work and have addressed the internal risks and rewards, but what if a significant part of your career involves interaction with people outside your organization (clients, customers, etc)? This discussion based workshop will examine the practices for a professional services firm or sales organization focused on relationships, managing relationships with LGBT and non-LGBT clients or customers, and maximizing LGBT contacts or relationships to develop new business.
Owning the "T": How a Long-Time Lesbian Activist Developed a Passion for Gender Identify & Expression Workplace Issues
Professor Lynn Conway, Louise Young, Ph.D.
Ancient wisdom holds that a person should seek enlightenment the same way one whose "hair is on fire" would seek water—with utmost urgency. Raytheon's Louise Young, a lesbian activist since 1971 and winner of Out & Equal's 2002 Trailblazer Award, will offer her insights on the urgent need for LGB activists and allies to embrace gender identity and expression workplace issues. Professor Lynn Conway, world-renowned engineer who transitioned in 1968, will join Young to offer perspective and commentary.
Pride Festival: A Marketing Opportunity
BJ Kamigaki, Luci Marin
Having a hard time justifying the business case for your company to sponsor a pride festival? Or, you got your company to agree to sponsor pride festival, but now what? Learn how to maximize the value of your sponsorship dollars at your local pride festival. We will examine HP's experience and success with marketing opportunities at pride festivals, parades, and sponsorship booths. We will discuss effective product demonstration, excitement generating giveaways/trinkets, drawings, and tracking your return on investment (ROI).
PrOUT@work: A Platform of Exchange and Support for German ERGs with a European Perspective
Albert Kehrer, Jean-Luc Vey
Representatives of PrOUT@work, the newly founded platform for LGBT ERGs in Germany, will present its vision and achievements as well as an overview of the legal situation of LGBT business initiatives in Europe. The presenters will lead a practical group exercise on the experience of founding such a platform on a national and European scale, focusing on the existing challenges and benefits.
Safe Place Education Program, Now Including Transgender Related Training at Ameriprise Financial
Lynn Marie Hill
Ameriprise Financial originally intended for the Safe Place Program to increase awareness and knowledge about LGBT issues in the workplace in order to create a safer, more productive, and satisfactory work environment. However, due to increased attention on transgender related issues in our communities and workplace, we have expanded the training to include detailed transgender information. Learn how we incorporated this information, how we are teaching it using many straight allies, and how to retain interest in the program.
Silent Voices, Marriage Equality, and the Business Sector
Desma Holcomb, Roey Thorpe
Through 10 years of struggle for marriage equality, many allies have come to the forefront and spoken on behalf of ending discrimination in marriage. Do LGBT business alliances have the necessary tools to engage their management as voices of equality? Why are business voices necessary as we reach defining moments in our struggle to achieve marriage equality? This workshop will work with LGBT ERG representatives to engage business leaders as voices of equality at the local, regional, or national levels. Mining the knowledge in the room, we will identify areas of success and roadblocks to this work. We will create action plans and study resources that can help recruit, keep, and protect business leaders willing to speak up for marriage equality.
Smart Business: Cross-Departmental Ideas and Strategies to Support Your LGBT Marketing and Sponsorship Initiatives
David Bates, Mark Fox, Larry Kuhn
What are the steps your company needs to take to support awareness while increasing budgeted dollars for LGBT initiatives? Companies, large and small, sit at varying places on the diversity, marketing, and sponsorship continuum. Understanding the internal workings of your company's Human Resources, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Diversity, and Sponsorship departments are the places to start.
Something Changes in me When I Witness Someone's Courage: Producing a Talk with Song
Debbie Rettke
A Song Talk is an innovative way to educate people on the value of inclusion and promote an atmosphere of fascination rather than fear within your company. Holly Near, singer, songwriter, human rights activist, and educator, performed her Song Talk at Intel to rave responses. Learn from Intel Employee Group leaders how they brought members from all ERGs together, sold the concept to management, quantified its success, and proliferated the learning.
Staying the Course: Corporate Responses to Backlash for LGBT Outreach and Support (Featured Session)
Panelists: Phillip Burgess, Walgreens; Dan Bross, Microsoft; Rod Christmon, Kraft; Emilia Dimenco, Harris Bank; Moderated by: Wes Combs, Witeck-Combs Communications
Over the past year, the American Family Association has stepped up its attacks on companies that sponsor or support LGBT organizations and events. Kraft, Walgreens, and Harris Bank were targets because of their sponsorships of the Gay Games, and Microsoft found itself in the crosshairs of both the LGBT community and religious conservatives for their position on the state of Washington's antidiscrimination bill. Each stayed the course, but with different strategies. Come hear how these corporate leaders responded to backlash for their company's decision to support the LGBT community.
Straight Allies: Advancing Equality at Work and in the Community (Featured Session)
Panelists: John Cepek, PFLAG National Board President-Elect; Glynda McGinnis, Wells Fargo; Daryl Pelc, Boeing; Deborah Bauer, Dell Computer Corporation; Eric Watson, Food Lion; Rick Wilbins, American Airlines; Moderated by: Jody Huckaby, Executive Director, PFLAG
The advancements made in LGBT workplace diversity over the last several years have been the result of hard work from LGBT employees as well as straight allies. In many instances, straight allies have led these efforts within corporations, and their partnership with LGBT employees has provided the tipping point for creating significant corporate climate change. PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) National Executive Director Jody Huckaby, will facilitate a panel discussion with straight corporate executives who have been helping to lead the way in advancing LGBT workplace diversity. The panel will address a variety of issues to help attendees understand the important role that straight allies can play in developing and sustaining an affirming workplace for LGBT employees. Topics include how the role of straight allies differs from that of LGBT employees; concerns raised among straight executives who may be resistant to LGBT workplace diversity and how they can be addressed; the influence of employees' religious beliefs on implementing LGBT workplace initiatives; practical things straight executives can do to assist in creating a more affirming environment for employees; and the role of straight family members in advancing LGBT equality in the community
Strategies for Personal Leadership Development
Neil G. Giuliano
Evaluate and explore your own capacity for personal leadership development, areas to strengthen and improve, and create an action plan for progress toward your personal, professional, and LGBT community involvement goals. Learn the five strategies for broadening your personal leadership development and goal attainment.
Strategies for the Successful Executive Sponsor of an LGBT Employee Resource Group: Panel Discussion
Nick Athanasakos, Linda Reynolds
Having a strong executive sponsor who helps establish and maintain awareness of your ERG's objectives and successes with senior leadership can help you maintain a steady growth in your ERG's achievements. The LGBT ERG executive sponsor's role provides guidance, ensures accountability, and assists in aligning objectives with the strategy and vision of the company. In this session, successful LGBT ERG executive sponsors will share what they consider to be keys to a strong executive sponsor.
Successful Strategies in Using an ERG Event to Broaden Support among Executives and Allies
Chari Chauvin, Jeff Parker
Learn how to use an ERG sponsored event to broaden your ally support, gain visibility with senior company leaders, outreach to your local community, and create a positive image with a consumer segment. Nike will share strategies and concepts through its playbook in creating its annual Youth Career Forum. Through this process, Nike has been able to create a successful repeatable event.
Surviving Success: Keeping Your LGBT ERG Energized
Ann Dunkin, BJ Kamigaki, Alex McKale, Stephanie Puentes
Your ERG worked hard to get an LGBT inclusive non-discrimination policy, parity in benefits, and a 100% rating from the HRC. So why aren't people coming to the meetings anymore? We look at how to keep your ERG energized. Using Hewlett Packard as an example, you will hear what did and did not work at each stage of our ERG journey. Workshop participants will take away best practices and new ideas for energizing their own ERGs.
Taking Your Brand's Marketing from "Gay Vague" to "Gay Gay": a Hyatt Resorts Case Study
Howard Buford, Scott Seed
In 2006, the question isn't "should my brand enter the LGBT market?" but "‘how?" This decision seems easy enough to an outsider, but to those on the inside, we know the decision comes only after internal negotiations, buy-in from key stake holders, and presentations to senior management. The work is worth the reward! This workshop tells the story of Hyatt Resorts' successful journey from cautious participant to recognized leader in LGBT travel advertising.
The Business Case for Diversity: Understanding the Market, Building a Strategy
Maria L. Campbell, Toni Gray
In this session, we will share market facts that shaped our learning at SC Johnson of diversity as a strategic business imperative. We will also identify key steps used to craft a diversity strategic plan. The discussion outline will include: the market facts, steps to craft a strategic plan, the importance of an integrated plan, and how SC Johnson's Gay and Lesbian Business Council makes the connection.
The Cost of Transgender Health Benefits
Elizabeth Goza, Mary Ann Horton
If your company has or is seeking a 100% rating in the HRC Corporate Equality Index, you may need to consider offering transgender health benefits. How much will this cost? Why does this matter? Will you be faced with an army of transsexuals demanding that you pay for gender reassignment surgery? How many transsexuals are there, anyway? Come find out the answers.
- Presentation (includes handouts) [PDF]
- Note: More information can be found at www.tgender.net including the draft research papers this workshop is based on.
The HRC Corporate Equality Index 2006 and Beyond: Getting the Most for Your Organization
Darryl Herrschaft, Samir Luther, Stephanie Turner, Louise Young, Ph.D.
How are LGBT employees and executives using the CEI to make change in their organizations? What is the best way to get corporate buy in? How can you deliver value from your high score in recruitment and brand loyalty? Stay ahead of the curve by examining innovative practices at companies making the most out of recognition from the nation's largest LGBT rights group.
The Lambda Network at Kodak: Strategies and Initiatives for Building a Sustainable ERG Model
Felix Blanco, Nancy E. Laurie, Ph.D.
Do you have an established ERG in need of a jump-start? Is your ERG struggling to attract new members and retain existing members? Are your core members suffering from "burn out?" What can you do in times of reduced resources to build a sustainable model for your ERG? Find out what the Lambda Network at Kodak is doing to address these issues.
The Out & Equal Workplace Institute
Dr. Julie Gedro, Stephen Gould
As we make great strides in our movement for workplace equality for LGBT employees, new challenges surface requiring new and innovating thinking. Academia is also starting to embrace LGBT research and bringing new insights to this field. There are few—if any—venues for the two to meet. It is in response to this that Out & Equal founded the Workplace Institute. In this discussion-oriented session, we will talk about the current work and goals of the Institute and invite participants to share their research experience, their company's needs, and learn what others are currently doing. This workshop is ideal for anyone interested in LGBT workplace research, from a corporate or an academic perspective.
The Power of One
Bruce Gillispie, Ken Pearson, Alex Williams, David Yates
Learn how individuals can have a positive influence on a company's policies, business practices, and bottom line. Leaders of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. LGBT Resource Group will explain how their individual team members' contributions are helping change the face of their company and how you can apply these best practices to yours.
The Safe Space Program and Tips for Implementing a Safe Space at Your Company
Margaret Burd, Ryk Koscielski
AT&T and Lucent Technologies created the Safe Space program to provide a message to all associates that the work environment is supportive of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender associates and that hostility or negative behavior in the workplace is not tolerated. This workshop will cover the history/creation of the Safe Space program, how it was implemented at AT&T and Lucent Technologies, and tips for implementing a Safe Space in your workplace.
Think Big: The Challenges of Addressing LGBT Issues at Small Companies
Jaye Holly
Many large companies provide support for LGBT employees through employee resource groups. We know the beneficial roles that ERGs, often with several thousand members, serve in the workplace. What if your entire company is only a few hundred employees? Developing strategies for building solid business cases for LGBT inclusion is even more important in small companies, where margins are tighter. Join us for this interactive and informative look at the unique challenges in small businesses.
Tips for Productive Schmoozing & Effective Use of the Elevator Speech
Lydia Camargo, Debbie Hoff, Gib Murray, Roland Zuniga
Networking events are a way of life for LGBT employees and allies. Have you ever felt awkward or at a loss for words when you enter a reception with business or diversity leaders or other ally ERGs? This workshop will provide valuable tips for productive schmoozing at these events and introduce you to the art of using the "elevator speech" to maximize the benefits for you, your LGBT organization, and your allies.
Transamerica: Adventures in Hollywood (and the Real World, Too) (Featured Session)
Speakers: Andrea James and Calpernia Addams, Cofounders, Deep Stealth Productions, Inc.; Hosted by Out & Equal's Transgender Advisory Committee
Since setting up a trans-owned production company in Hollywood in 2003, founders Andrea James and Calpernia Addams have produced groundbreaking events and media for and about the transgender community. They will talk about their work with Felicity Huffman and writer/director Duncan Tucker on the 2005 film Transamerica. They will also discuss their work with Eve Ensler and Jane Fonda on the first all-transgender performance of The Vagina Monologues in 2004, and how the media influences the struggle for trans rights and acceptance. They will show clips from recent and upcoming projects by Deep Stealth Productions, as well as some recent media appearances in documentaries and news shows, with comments on strategies for using the media to promote your work and your message.
Understanding Your Transgender Employee
Jennette Caden, Jacqueline Phillips
The "T" or transgender person in LGBT is probably the most misunderstood of those individuals who make up the acronym. Although positive experiences like those portrayed by Felicity Huffman in the movie Transamerica go a long way to dispelling some of the myths surrounding the transgender person, there is much more you can learn.
Why Bi? Understanding Bisexuality as a Workplace Issue
Heidi Bruins Green, Jamison Green
According to Kinsey, there are many more bisexuals than gay people, but few bisexuals join our ERGs. "B" is often included in LGBT ERG mission statements, but gay men and lesbians have not known how to build bi-inclusive coalitions. This leads to missed opportunities for promoting workplace equality, and also to unintended exclusion or closeting of bisexual people. This workshop allows participants to explore myths, learn to be bi-allies, and support bisexuals as allies/comrades.
Why Wait: Corporations and Domestic Partner Tax Equality
Dr. Jennifer Martin, Katie Ruberto
Did you know that current domestic partner benefits are not equal benefits? Did you know that you have to pay taxes on your insured domestic partner's benefits? Learn more about the Benefit Tax Equity Act and how to get your company involved. By supporting this act, you are assisting in aligning your company's values around fairness and equity.
Workplace Environment: Perceptions of LGBT Employees and HR Professionals
Dr. Julie Gedro, Rodney Gingerich, Michael Grissom
Research conducted by The New York Times in "Next Frontiers of Diversity" including the LGBT workforce provides the basis of this workshop. The New York Times survey of LGBT employees and HR professionals covers attitudes, perceptions of degrees of acceptance in the workplace, and which specific policies and procedures are most valued. The study also measures specific indicators of success in the workplace among employees and HR professionals. We will discuss the role of employee satisfaction studies and the efficacy of sources of information on the LGBT workplace environment in companies.
Workplace Equality as a National LGBT Movement (Featured Session)
Panelists: Neil Giuliano, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality; Kate Kendell, National Center for Lesbian Rights; Alexander Robinson, National Black Justice Coalition; Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign; Moderated by: Selisse Berry, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Out & Equal is delighted to produce this featured panel, bringing together Executive Directors from national LGBT organizations. This panel will discuss next steps in our work toward the goal of full human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in America, and in the world.
