Blog.
25 years of Transgender Inclusive Language
Celebrating 25 years since the first trans-inclusive policy in corporate America, with Mary Ann Horton.
Honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance
To celebrate and honor Transgender Day of Remembrance, EQUAL! invited Ryan Sallans to talk about the issues faced by Transgender Employees in corporate environments, and how allies can support these employees through their transition—and beyond.
Even with a perfect score we can still improve
In December 2013, Alcatel-Lucent was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign< with a perfect score of 100% on the Corporate Equality Index. As a board member of the EQUAL! Organization for Alcatel-Lucent’s LGBT colleagues and our supporters it is heartening to see our company receive that recognition for the 12th year in a row.
Sex vs. gender
After many decades of denial and pretending to be a guy named “Bill,” in November 2012, I finally came out as transgender, and started living full-time as Wendy.
Trans-Gressions
One year has now passed since I started transitioning from Male to Female (MTF). A lot has happened and I still have many challenges to face in the future. Many of them are fears of rejection, violence, discrimination, loss of employment, being denied access to health care and losing my kids. Why would somebody bother transitioning? My only answer: Being True to Yourself by Actualization! Like a good friend of mine says as a mantra "It’s all about Being Authentic!"
LGBT Awareness Month 2013
June is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Awareness Month. The EQUAL! EBP (Employee Business Partner) provides activities to celebrate the contributions of the LGBT community and to raise awareness of the issues faced both within and outside the workplace that impact the lives of LGBT employees and employees with LGBT friends or family members.
World AIDS Day 2012
December 1 was World AIDS Day and Alcatel-Lucent Employee Business Partners are partnering to host events to commemorate the day and to provide awareness. This year the following Alcatel-Lucent EBPs (Employee Business Partners) are partnering together to host World AIDS Day events at Alcatel-Lucent.
Benefits Survey
We would like all members to participate in providing information through a very short survey that we have created. The information you provide will be helpful to the future progress/direction of our team and provide useful information for our membership.
Why wasn’t I born right-handed?
I am left-handed. I always have been. I don’t know why. No one else in my family is left handed. I must have been born that way. When I began school I noticed other left handed people and I felt a connection with them even if never verbally acknowledged. I realized early on that society is set up for right handed people. That is the expected norm. But I have been able to make accommodations. Aside from being unable to use a fountain pen because my hand smears the ink as I write I do not find being left handed a liability.
May 17th is IDAHO – International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
May 17th is IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia); individuals & organizations around the world celebrate the removal of homosexuality in the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17th, 1990. This event, first launched in Canada with the Fondation Émergence, has since spread to numerous other countries (more than 50 are participating this year) with the IDAHO Committee.
Meet the Board – Sue Rocha
Sue — our Westford, Massachusetts-based VP — is our guest this week, in one of the last "Meet the Board" interviews.
Alcatel, Lucent, and Alcatel-Lucent retirees: you can now join us!
It took some time to iron out some technical issues, but we are now able to have our former members (whether retirees or not) "re-join" our Chapters mailing lists!
Meet the Board – Ryk Koscielski
We are back this week with Ryk, our long-time board member and current Northern Illinois chapter representative — based in Naperville.
Meet the Board – Billy Nickerson
This week, meet Billy — our At-Large chapter representative based in California.
Meet the Board – Jérôme Meyer
Jérôme is one of our vice-presidents, based in Hong Kong, China. Get to know him, as part of our ‘Meet the Board’ series!
Meeting HomoSFèRe
Sylvie is President of HomoSFèRe, an NGO which gathers lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees of the SFR group and their friends. SFR is the second biggest telecom service provider in France, and its workforce includes more than 10,000 employees.
‘Meet the Board’ – Glenda Childress
Glenda is our Treasurer and former Co-President, as well as the Columbus, OH Chapter representative. Get to know her, as part of our "Meet the Board" series!
‘Meet the Board’ – Thierry Hochart
Thierry is our co-president and a member of the At Large chapter, based in Paris, France. Get to know him as part of our new "Meet the Board" series!
World AIDS Day 2011
December 1st is World AIDS Day — a call for a spirit of social tolerance and a greater exchange of information on HIV/AIDS. Established by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day serves to focus global attention on the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, bringing messages of compassion, hope, solidarity & understanding about AIDS to every country in the world.
National Coming Out Day 2011
Tuesday, October 11th is National Coming Out Day (NCOD) 2011. NCOD is a day when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies are encouraged to take the next step in coming out of the closet or increasing awareness.
Being out at work: it’s also getting better
In the July-August 2011 issue of the Harvard Business Review, the article "For LGBT Workers, Being “Out” Brings Advantages" presents some facts on the status of LGBT in the workplace. With an estimated 7 Million LGBT working in the U.S. private sector, 29 states say it is legal to fire someone for being gay. On the bright side, 85% of Fortune 500 companies have protective policies that address sexual orientation—up from 51% in 2000. Additional analysis from this article is presented by one of the authors on the HBR blog, "The Cost of Closeted Employees".
Freedom to Love – made in Singapore!
A week ago, on June 18th, Singaporeans stood united for the "Freedom to Love"; for the fourth year running. Ten thousand of them — all dressed in pink — and all celebrating diversity in the Lion City!
LGBT Awareness Month 2011 (updated)
June is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Awareness Month. EQUAL! is planning activities to celebrate the contributions of the LGBT communities and raise awareness of the issues faced both within and outside the workplace that impact the lives of employees, friends or family members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
May 17th: International Day Against HOmophobia 2011 (IDAHO)
On May 17th 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. Although homosexuality was decriminalized in many countries since the 80s, this day was chosen as a universal symbol for the fight against homophobia, later it was extended to also include transphobia.
Video project to support equality for LGBT people
Some of you may have read about the "It gets better" project which was initiated last fall after a number of suicide among young students in the USA. Those suicides were following bullying attitudes towards LGBT and questionning youth.
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2010
Saturday, November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Transgender Day of Remembrance is an occasion in the LGBT community set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice (transphobia).
EQUAL! National Coming Out Day Event
Monday, October 11 is National Coming Out Day (NCOD) 2010. NCOD is a day when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies are encouraged to take the next step in coming out of the closet or increasing awareness.
No Closet?
Firstly, let me explain why I felt I had to make this post. I am not at all a real-TV addict which I usually blame for exposing the worst side of human being. I am not either so eager to share my life with everyone — I take pride in myself for having less than 20 friends on Facebook.
LGBT, tous concernés, tous sensibilisés !
Here is an article published on ALU France website discussing about an event proposed by EQUAL! in the frame of the LGBT awareness month.
Share Your LGBT Icon
Hope you enjoyed reading about the LGBT Awareness Month icons which were posted in June. Did we miss one of your favorites? If so, feel free to share it with us.
Ruth Ellis – Activist
Every week day in June, EQUAL! is posting information on a LGBT icon. Today: LGBT Awareness Month icon Ruth Ellis – Activist.
Gene Robinson – Religious Leader
Every week day in June, EQUAL! is posting information on a LGBT icon. Today: LGBT Awareness Month icon Gene Robinson – Religious Leader.
Deirdre McCloskey – Economist
Every week day in June, EQUAL! is posting information on a LGBT icon. Today: LGBT Awareness Month icon Deirdre McCloskey – Economist.
Zhou Dan – Chinese Gay Pioneer
Every week day in June, EQUAL! is posting information on a LGBT icon. Today: LGBT Awareness Month icon Zhou Dan — Chinese Gay Pioneer.
Cherry Jones – Actress
Every week day in June, EQUAL! is posting information on a LGBT icon. Today: LGBT Awareness Month icon Cherry Jones – Actress.
Sylvia Rivera – Transgender Activist
Every week day in June, EQUAL! is posting information on a LGBT icon. Today: LGBTAM icon Sylvia Rivera.
Anthony Romero – President, ACLU
Each day in June, EQUAL! is profiling a LGBT person who has made a difference to society. Today: the icon is Anthony Romero.
Bertrand Delanoë – Mayor of Paris
June is LGBT Awareness Month. Each day in June, EQUAL! will share information about a LGBT icon.
Les invites du mois de juin : Collectif Homoboulot, EQUAL!, HomoSFèRe, HP Pride, Mobilisnoo
Here is a forward of the invitation by the French "Direction de la Communication"
Urvashi Vaid – Attorney, Activist
Urvashi Vaid is an attorney, author, activist and the executive director of the Arcus Foundation.
Contribute to Gay-a-pedia
Please join members of EQUAL! in an open Q&A session regarding Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender issues and experiences.
B.D. Wong – Actor
B.D. Wong is an award-winning actor best known for his television roles on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Oz,” and his Broadway debut in “M. Butterfly.” Born Bradley Darryl Wong, he grew up in the San Francisco Bay area.
Transgender Issues in the Workplace
Every week day in June, EQUAL! is posting information on a LGBT icon. Today: LGBT Awareness Month icon Cherry Jones – Actress.
Michel Foucault – French Philosopher
Michel Foucault was a French philosopher, sociologist and educator who had a profound impact on academic thought. Foucault is best known for his critical studies of psychiatry, the prison system and human sexuality.
Tammy Baldwin – US Congresswoman
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is the first out lesbian elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. As of 2009, she is one of three openly gay members and the first openly gay non-incumbent elected to Congress.
John Amaechi – Psychologist, US Professional Basketball Player
John Amaechi is the first NBA player to speak publicly about being gay.
Rachel Maddow, US based Commentator
Rachel Maddow is a television host, radio personality and political commentator. She is the first out lesbian to anchor a prime-time show. Maddow grew up in Castro Valley, California, a San Francisco suburb. She describes herself in high school as “a cross between the jock and the antisocial girl.”
LGBT Awareness Month – June 2010
June is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Awareness Month. EQUAL!, one of Alcatel-Lucent seven employee business partners, is planning activities to celebrate the contributions of the LGBT communities and raise awareness of the issues faced both within and outside the workplace that impact the lives of employees, friends or family members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
IDAHO
Yes, IDAHO is one the 50 American States. It is also many other things, including a widely-recognized celebration of "International Day Against HOmophobia and transphobia".
International Women’s Day Celebration (2010)
International Womens Day was celebrated 8 March 2010. This is observed world-wide as a day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Corporate Equality Index: Alcatel-Lucent earns top mark in 2010
Alcatel-Lucent in the United States received the highest score of 100% in the Corporate Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors.
