The Wisconsin Corporate GLBT Coalition is a new program for the year 2005. The mission of our program is to form alliances among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight (GLBT&S) employees of Wisconsin's major employers, for the purpose of identifying key workplace issues and developing a resource package to assist employers and employees in resolving the issues. The vision of the Coalition is a Wisconsin where every employer, large or small, treats employees fairly and consistently, and every place of work has an open climate, regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity of employees.

 

Our goal is to start discussions and open dialogues. By our identifying the major issues and passing along our research, corporations can feel comfortable that they are addressing the important issues properly. Our research is intended for both straight and GLBT audiences.

 

 

The Need

 

Wisconsin has a unique environment where GLBT issues are at the forefront and readily discussed. The public sector boasts one of the most progressive stances toward GLBT interests in the nation. However, this stance does not project as strongly into the private sector.

 

Why is this the case? One problem is that businesses establish a structure and atmosphere that tends to isolate them from other areas of life. Outside influences can have a difficult time penetrating the corporate culture. The corporation has institutionalized mechanisms that are effective in preserving its culture and keeping out influences perceived as undesired.

 

Businesses need education in GLBT issues. Companies are including sexual orientation and gender identity non-discrimination language in their corporate policies, yet are having trouble applying these policies to every-day practice. Entrenched cultures at large corporations that exclude all except the traditional gender identities and sexual orientation need sources of information about and examples of the GLBT employee model.

 

We are at a juncture in which many employers are considering issues such as:

 

• Domestic partner benefits
• Inclusion of GLBT language in their existing EEO policies (especially Gender Identity/Expression), service populations and requirements for funding
• Inclusion of GLBT in their targeted marketing plans
• Diversity awareness training, including GLBT

Needless confusion, misperceptions and conflict result due to both the lack of factual information and the knowledge of how to access local and national resources for assistance. If employers hold dialogues and planning sessions without credible information, the result is often unsuccessful and can negatively impact employee satisfaction and morale. Additionally, these unsuccessful instances only serve to set back the advances that have been made in GLBT acceptance in the workplace.

 

We are finding that one of the best ways to increase GLBT awareness within corporations is to have the GLBT employees spearhead the effort from within. But in order to for GLBT employees to feel empowered to assist with the transformation of their corporate culture, two things are necessary: GLBT employees need to feel united by and behind their goals, and the corporation needs education to improve the workplace atmosphere. The goals of the Coalition are to provide this unity among GLBT employees at diverse corporations, and provide knowledge on GLBT issues.

 

Another goal of the Coalition is to improve the corporation-GLBT community relationship. Many corporations pride themselves on their community involvement and support. Unfortunately, businesses' unawareness of the GLBT community leads to overlooked financial assistance opportunities and alienation from issues important to the GLBT community. Businesses need education on GLBT workplace issues as a start to their awareness of the GLBT community as represented by their employees. This awareness leads to more local involvement by businesses, especially larger multinational corporations, not just because of the insistence of their GLBT employees, but because these corporations understand that positively addressing GLBT issues is not only acceptable but is also good for business.

 

 

The Resources

 

GlobalAge.org is spearheading our program. In its short existence, GlobalAge has already made a strong impact in companies and the community. The alliance is well organized, well managed and eager to provide a forum for GLBT workplace issues.

 

Other GLBT groups at major employers in Wisconsin are forming, as conditions are favorable for the creation and funding of employee organizations. SC Johnson, Miller Brewing, We Energies, Kimberley Clark, SBC Ameritech and others have or are attempting to start groups. This is an opportune time to unite and encourage GLBT employees to work for change within their organizations.

 

 

The Program

 

Our program for 2004-2005 will be executed in several phases. Phase 1 (fall 2004) is to establish the Coalition, drawing from as many Wisconsin businesses and corporations as possible. Community organizations are also invited to participate, since we have many of the same concerns and goals. Once the Coalition is active, the program will gather and investigate GLBT workplace issues among Wisconsin employers.

 

The exciting aspect of Phase 1 work is creating the liaisons among the GLBT employee organizations of Wisconsin’s larger businesses. This program has the potential to build extensive bridges among Wisconsin's business and advocacy infrastructure. Corporations are tough environments to penetrate; our program is unique in that it works from the inside.

 

Ultimately, the program will create the following products:

 

• A resource packet appropriate for generation of an Awareness Workshop that would be conducted in Wisconsin businesses. The packet would contain:
• Original white papers providing overviews of GLBT issues tailored to Wisconsin businesses
• A list of resources available to businesses, such as appropriate trainings, and local and national experts on GLBT issues
• A bibliography on GLBT issues
• A list of frequently-asked questions and appropriate replies
• A sample Awareness Workshop presentation
• A plan for future support of the Awareness Workshop by volunteer presenters
• A workshop for the Out and Equal Workplace Summit 2005

 

Be Involved!

 

By way of this introduction, we hope that your organization will become involved in the Wisconsin Corporate GLBT Coalition. Please visit our website www.GlobalAge.org or contact Michael Wiggins at GlobalAge1@earthlink.net. 

 

(Text and format borrowed from “The Tucson Corporate LGBT Coalition” courtesy of their board chair, Phil Moul. See also Coalition Building Through Your Diversity Newsletter at http://home.earthlink.net/~philmoul/O&E2004.htm)