An open letter to newsletter subscribers and web site visitors

GLBTworkplace.com today - and tomorrow!
by Dave Hughes

Frequent visitors to this web site and newsletter subscribers have no doubt noticed that the site hasn't been significantly updated nor has the newsletter been published since February.  Rest assured, this hasn't been due to any decrease in my commitment to promoting workplace equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people!

2007 has been a busy year for me so far.  I developed a workshop called "OUTstanding! How Everyone Benefits when GLBT Employees Participate Fully in the Workplace" and had the honor of presenting it to the Out & Equal Arizona Regional Affiliate.  The workshop examines the many ways that companies, managers, and co-workers benefit when GLBT can be out at work.

I also wrote and published "Frequently Asked Questions by Managers Regarding GLBT Workplace Issues."  See more information about this in the next column.

In addition, I have been serving as the National President of my employer's GLBT employee group.  So the excitement of these and other endeavors have left me with less time to keep up this site.

Tomorrow (September 25) I travel to Washington, DC for my sixth visit to the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit.  Each year I return newly energized with new ideas and new motivation for the cause of GLBT workplace equality.  Much of that will be realized by new content to this web site.  I plan to continue to create new resources such as the Manager FAQ, and I plan to update the site frequently with blog-style news and commentary.  This blog may replace the monthly newsletter, or perhaps the newsletter will become a summary of the month's blog entries.  That's still to be determined.

In any case, if you wish to join my mailing list, which is strictly confidential and never shared with anyone, please subscribe here!

FAQ for Managers!

GLBTworkplace.com is pleased to present "Frequently Asked Questions by Managers Regarding GLBT Workplace Issues."  It tells managers everything they need to know about

• Why it's important for their GLBT employees to come out at work

• What "transgender" means

• Issues and concerns GLBT employees may have at work

• How to ensure that their workplace is safe and welcoming for GLBT employees

• How to increase knowledge and awareness of GLBT issues

... and much more!

View "Frequently Asked Questions by Managers Regarding GLBT Workplace Issues."  (PDF)

The Manager FAQ is also available as an attractive eight-page digest-size booklet.  Request a free copy!  (Include your name and address.)

You will soon be able to order multiple copies from this web site.

The GLBT Workplace Discussion Forum

The GLBT Workplace Discussion Forum is currently "on hiatus" after it made it onto spammers' hit lists (it received over 100 spam postings on the worst day).  Look for a new, improved blog soon (with a different URL)!

Share and Discuss!

What topics would you like to see discussed on this site?  If you're facing challenges at your workplace and would like to see suggestions and learn best-known methods from people at other companies, send them in!

Submit questions and topics

Purpose

The goal of this web site is to provide the knowledge, support and tools to enable a world where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people can work openly and safely in a workplace that is welcoming and free of harassment and discrimination, regardless of occupation.  The web site will feature articles, editorial commentary, discussion topics, and opinion/data gathering polls. 
 

Other GLBT Workplace Resources

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates

O&E hosts an outstanding annual conference and offers training programs and regional affiliates for local networking.

Human Right Campaign (HRC) Workplace Project

Information on workplace policies and laws surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity, and a great resource for "how-to" information.  HRC publishes the annual Corporate Equality Index which rates companies on their GLBT inclusiveness.

National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Science and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP)

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

OUT For Work is the only national nonprofit organization educating, preparing, and empowering LGBT students and their allies for the workplace. 

The author/editor of this web site is Dave Hughes.

Suggestions, submissions, and feedback are welcome!
Contact Dave