Out & Equal Workplace Advocates

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is a leading LGBTQ+ organization that advocates for workplace equality and inclusion in the United States and around the world, partnering with companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Founded by Selisse Berry in 1996, the organization has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, Coca-Cola, and American Airlines, to create more inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ+ employees. Out & Equal Workplace Advocates has also collaborated with other prominent organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and the National LGBTQ Task Force, to advance LGBTQ+ rights and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The organization's work has been recognized by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other notable leaders, including Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi.

● History

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates was founded in 1996 by Selisse Berry, a LGBTQ+ activist and workplace equality advocate, with the goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace for LGBTQ+ employees. The organization's early work focused on providing LGBTQ+ training and education to companies, including Xerox, Cisco Systems, and Intel, and advocating for LGBTQ+-friendly policies and benefits, such as domestic partner benefits and transgender-inclusive healthcare. Over the years, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates has worked with a wide range of companies, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Deloitte, to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity in the workplace. The organization has also partnered with other prominent organizations, such as the National Center for Lesbian Rights, The Trevor Project, and PFLAG, to advance LGBTQ+ rights and promote LGBTQ+ awareness.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is to create a workplace culture that is inclusive and equitable for all LGBTQ+ employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The organization's objectives include providing LGBTQ+ training and education to companies, advocating for LGBTQ+-friendly policies and benefits, and promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity in the workplace, in partnership with companies like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Out & Equal Workplace Advocates also works to create a global network of LGBTQ+ advocates and allies who can support and promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace, including LGBTQ+ leaders like Tim Cook, Alan Joyce, and Gigi Chao. The organization's work is guided by a board of directors that includes prominent LGBTQ+ leaders and allies, such as Sarah Kate Ellis, Rea Carey, and Masen Davis.

● Programs_and_Services

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates offers a range of programs and services to support LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity in the workplace, including LGBTQ+ training and education, consulting services, and research and publications. The organization's LGBTQ+ training programs are designed to help companies create a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture, and have been used by companies like Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Out & Equal Workplace Advocates also offers consulting services to help companies develop and implement LGBTQ+-friendly policies and benefits, such as domestic partner benefits and transgender-inclusive healthcare, in partnership with companies like Accenture, McKinsey & Company, and Boston Consulting Group. The organization's research and publications provide valuable insights and information on LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace, and have been cited by academic researchers and media outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.

● Annual_Workplace_Summit

The Annual Workplace Summit is a premier LGBTQ+ conference that brings together LGBTQ+ advocates, allies, and business leaders from around the world to discuss LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace. The summit features keynote speakers, workshops, and panel discussions on topics such as LGBTQ+ inclusion, diversity, and equity, and has been attended by notable LGBTQ+ leaders like Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, and Janet Mock. The summit also provides opportunities for networking and professional development, and has been sponsored by companies like AT&T, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Out & Equal Workplace Advocates has also partnered with other organizations, such as the National Black Justice Coalition, The LGBT National Help Center, and The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, to promote LGBTQ+ awareness and inclusion at the summit.

● Global_Initiatives

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates has a range of global initiatives that aim to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity in the workplace around the world. The organization has worked with companies like Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and Coca-Cola to develop and implement LGBTQ+-friendly policies and benefits in countries like India, China, and Brazil. Out & Equal Workplace Advocates has also partnered with other organizations, such as the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, The Global Equality Fund, and The United Nations, to advance LGBTQ+ rights and promote LGBTQ+ inclusion globally. The organization's global initiatives have been recognized by world leaders like Justin Trudeau, Angela Merkel, and Emmanuel Macron, and have been supported by companies like Microsoft, Google, and Apple.

● Leadership_and_Partnerships

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is led by a board of directors that includes prominent LGBTQ+ leaders and allies, such as Sarah Kate Ellis, Rea Carey, and Masen Davis. The organization has also partnered with a range of companies and organizations, including Google, Microsoft, and Apple, to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity in the workplace. Out & Equal Workplace Advocates has also worked with other prominent organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and the National LGBTQ Task Force, to advance LGBTQ+ rights and promote LGBTQ+ awareness. The organization's leadership and partnerships have been recognized by awards and honors like the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's Media Awards, and The National LGBTQ Task Force's Leadership Awards.