🚀 go-pugleaf

Bell-Northern Research/Northern Telecom Gay Lesbian Bisexual Association

A new diversity group, the BNR/NT Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Association
(GLBA) has recently formed.

The GLBA was formed to help lesbian, gay, and bisexual people feel
more secure in their work environment.  Although the GLBA was formed
to deal primarily with GLB issues, all employees, regardless of sexual
orientation, are invited to join the group.  We also want to emphasize
that this group is for both BNR *and* NT employees.  


Group Goals
-----------

The current goals of the group are:

1. Inclusion of "sexual orientation" in the BNR/NT non-discrimination policy.

   This will promote a work environment free from fear of discrimination based
   on one's sexual orientation.

2. Establishment of domestic partnership benefits.

   This will create a parity of benefits for all couples, regardless of  
   the marital status or genders involved in the couple, in such areas 
   as health coverage, life insurance, and retirement benefits.

3. Diversity education on GLB issues.

   This will help create a work environment free of fear and ignorance with
   regard to GLB employees.

4. Support group for GLBA members.

   This will provide a supportive work environment for GLB employees.  This
   will include social events for GLBA members.

Please note that the first goal has now been met.  As of January 1, 1994 
"Sexual Orientation" has been added to all relevent non-discrimination
documents.     

In addition, for goal 2, we will have domestic partnership benefits by 
July, 1994.


Group History
-------------

For a number of years, various people in several regions have been working
with HR on GLB-related issues.  Some of these people met up with others, some
did not.  After the '93 March on Washington, a Usenet news article was posted
to the soc.motss (GLB) newsgroup stating interest in forming a BNR/NT GLB
employee group.  Within a few days, BNR/NT employees from around the world
were writing in saying they were interested (and employees from other
high-tech companies also responded).  RTP folks called Richardson folks who
called Ottawa folks who called Mountain View folks, etc., etc.  After a few
discussions, receiver lists started to grow, accounts were requested, and
here we are (ok, it's a bit sketchy, but these are hectic times).


What Can I Do Now?
------------------

Here are a few things you can do now:

o  Pass this announcement on to anyone you think might be interested.

o  Contact your region prime (COCOS IDs listed below) so they know who 
   you are.  Let them know how you can help.  Work with them to set up 
   meetings or social events for your region. 

o  If you are in an area that doesn't have a GLBA chapter (i.e., your 
   lab or region isn't listed below, then contact the main COCOS id for 
   information on how to start a local group.

o  Remember that HR/ER are here to help us and consult with us, but that we as
   a group are the ones who have to drive this by teaming with them and our
   management.  We need to convince the corporation that, not only do we think
   this is the right thing to do, but that it makes business sense as well.  We
   want BNR/NT to take the leadership role in the industry.  To do this, we
   must link our goals with our corporate values and our quest for Vision 2000.

o  Give feedback on this announcement.  Organizing an employee group is 
   new to most of us, and constructive criticism will help us get better 
   at it.  Share your own experiences working with GLB issues and groups.


Group Structure
---------------

Currently there is one corporate-wide organization and there are four 
"regional" organizations.  The four regions are Ottawa, RTP, Richardson, and 
Mountain View/Santa Clara.

In the near future, each region will be announcing the formation of
its own group and meetings.  Please watch for those announcements.  

For more information on the BNR/NT GLBA, please send a COCOS to BNRNT GLBA.
For information on the regional groups, please feel free contact one of the 
sites listed below.

COCOS IDs:                                         ________
   Non-regional: BNRNT GLBA                        \      /
   Ottawa:       Ottawa GLBA                        \    /
   Richardson:   Rich GLBA                           \  /
   RTP:          BNRRTP GLBA                          \/