DETROIT — Out & Equal™ Workplace Advocates – the leading national organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality in the workplace – recognized General Motors’ GM PLUS (People Like US) affinity group with the 2009 Out & Equal Workplace Award for Employee Resource Group (ERG) of the Year last night at the nonprofit’s annual summit in Orlando, Florida. The Out & Equal Workplace Awards (commonly known as “The Outies”) honor individuals and organizations that are leading the way to advance equal rights for LGBT employees in America’s workplaces.
“GM is honored to be the first automaker recognized by Out & Equal with its Outie Award for LGBT Employee Resource Group of the Year,” said Adam Bernard, chair, GM PLUS.
“This is a tremendous testament of GM’s dedication to workplace diversity, justice and equality.”
Since 1993, GM’s LGBT employee group has actively campaigned for equal treatment and safe, accepting working conditions for all GM employees. What started primarily as a social networking group, eventually became known as GM PLUS. Today it consists of more than 200 members and helped GM achieve the top rating of 100 percent from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index .
“It is our diverse workforce that connects us to the global marketplace,” said Karen DeCuir-DiNicola , manager, GM diversity initiatives. “Their talent and ideas drive innovation and enhance our ability to compete in the world economy now and in the future. We are honored to receive t his award that recognizes our success in advocating for LGBT equal rights in the GM workplace.”
As part of the awards ceremony, GM presented a video that included highlights of the work of GM PLUS as well as a personal message from GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz.
GM PLUS tied for ERG of the Year with GLIFAA, the ERG of the U.S. Department of State and USAID. Their award acceptance video featured U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
GM PLUS Board Member Tina Seitz was also a finalist for the Trailblazer Award, which recognizes an LGBT person who has made a significant contribution to advancing workplace equality by helping improve their own workplace or contributing to equality nationally.
About GM
GM, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 219,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. GM acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new GM can be found at www.gm.com.
About GM PLUS
GM PLUS (People Like US) is the affinity group for direct, contract, and retired employees of General Motors Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates, in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality.
About Out & Equal Workplace Advocates™
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates™ is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that champions safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The organization advocates building and strengthening successful organizations that value all employees, customers, and communities. More information can be found at www.outandequal.org.
[Source: GM]
