Annual Gay Lesbian Issues Caucus Meeting:
Join fellow gay and lesbian members of SLA as
we freely discuss issues that affect us in the workplace. Topics will include
the value of our sexual orientation to the business world. These meetings are
always informative, healing and fun, so come speak your mind and make new
friends.Suggested Topic:
As a lesbian or gay man, what added value do I bring to the work environment?
Location: in the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center (exact room to be announced). Wine, beer and snacks
will be served.
Tuesday, June 8,
2004
3:45pm - 5:15
Minutes:
As is our custom,
the Gay and Lesbian Caucus met at the annual SLA conference for a roundtable
discussion of issues pertaining to our members.
The meeting was
opened by 2004 Caucus Chair Stephen Fleming who reported that membership
stood at 82 people, as of March 2004. With about 30 people in attendance
at, we noted the high participation rate for this year’s roundtable.
A lively
discussion ensued around the topic “What is the Value I Bring to the
Workplace as a Gay or Lesbian?”
Some of the
responses were that we, as GLBT employees, tend to be:
- Good listeners
- Sensitive to
diversity
- Inclined towards
research
- Creative thinkers
- Tuned in to
breaking social trends
- Flexible with
working hours
- Free to travel
We then held an
informal survey to see how many members’ employers had gay-friendly policies
in place. The majority of our members (but not all!) reported yes.
Participants also
discussed issues with managing non-GBLT employees, marriage benefits and the
history of GLIC at SLA. We also brainstormed about speakers and events for
next year’s conference.
Towards the end of
the meeting, Tricia Peavler volunteered to join Stephen Fleming as Caucus
Co-chair in 2005. Steven Knittweis will continue as Webmaster and Mary
Ellen Bates would stay on as ListServ Mistress.
Later in the
evening, 35 members and friends gathered to have dinner in downtown
Nashville at
Tribe restaurant. The restaurant staff was
extremely accommodating in seating and serving us, and a good time was had
by all.
If you would like to add your comments,
please e-mail Stephen (stephen_fleming@nyc.yr.com)
or Steven (steven_knittweis@nyc.yr.com)
