HRC: History in the Making: New York To Become Seventh U.S. Jurisdiction Allowing Gay and Lesbian Couples to Marry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2011

History in the Making: New York To Become Seventh U.S. Jurisdiction Allowing Gay and Lesbian Couples to Marry

Governor Cuomo’s leadership and unprecedented field campaign push bill over finish line

WASHINGTON – In a history making, bipartisan vote, the New York Senate today passed a widely popular marriage equality bill after the most aggressive state legislative campaign in the history of the LGBT rights movement. With Governor Cuomo’s promised signature of the bill, New York will become the sixth state, plus the District of Columbia, where same-sex couples can legally marry.

"History was made today in New York. This victory sends a message that marriage equality across the country will be a reality very soon," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

"Governor Cuomo has shown New York and the nation what leadership looks like," added Brian Ellner, HRC's senior strategist in the state. "The bipartisan nature of the vote is compelling proof that marriage equality is increasingly an issue that unites, not divides. Legislators listened to their constituents and did the right thing."

The successful vote in the Senate comes after a strategic, coordinated and aggressive legislative advocacy effort by LGBT civil rights organizations. Working in close coordination with a tight-knit coalition, HRC's National Field Director, Marty Rouse, led one of the largest legislative advocacy efforts in New York state history and the largest field campaign ever in support of state gay rights legislation. An unprecedented 30 full-time field organizers were employed by HRC across the state and generated over 150,000 constituent contacts to targeted legislators. To reflect the deep and diverse support for marriage equality, HRC also created “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality,” a video campaign that eventually featured more than 40 iconic New Yorkers ranging from President Bush’s daughter Barbara Bush to Russell Simmons advocating for marriage equality (www.hrc.org/NY4marriage). HRC spent more than $1 million overall on the effort to pass marriage in New York.

"There’s no doubt that this was the most unified marriage effort ever," said Solmonese. "Today's victory is made even sweeter by the fact that organizations were able to rally around a common goal, work hard and deliver a huge win for civil and human rights."

HRC was a founding member of New Yorkers United for Marriage. Coalition partners include HRC, Empire State Pride Agenda, Freedom to Marry, Marriage Equality New York, and Log Cabin Republicans. The coalition raised $2 million that it used to advocate for marriage equality.

In the past year, a number of national polls (Washington Post/ABC News, Gallup, and CNN) have shown, for the first time that a majority of the country supports marriage equality. Support for same-sex marriage has increased by 19 percentage points since 1996, according to the Pew Research Center.

For maps of marriage and relationship recognition laws in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.

The Human Rights Campaign is America¹s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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Updated: CNN Video Included -Transcript: President's remarks at LGBT DNC Fundraiser

Photo by Terry Penrod at Democratic National Convention August 2008

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
____________________________
For Immediate Release June 23, 2011

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT A DNC EVENT

Sheraton Hotel and Towers
New York, New York

6:59 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, hello, hello! (Applause.) Thank you! Thank you so much. Hello, New York! (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Everybody please have a seat. Thank you. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

Thank you, Jonathan, for your service to this country and for continuing to fight for what this country stands for, even after you had to take off the uniform.

I also want to recognize the extraordinary performance of Audra McDonald. I like hearing her sing. (Applause.) I want to thank our MC for this evening, Neil Patrick Harris. (Applause.) Everybody knows that Neil is openly terrific. (Laughter.)

A couple of other acknowledgments -- Christine Quinn, the New York City Council Speaker, is here. (Applause.) A great friend of mine who helped move the process forward to make sure that "don't ask, don't tell" got done -- Patrick Murphy is in the house. (Applause.) The DNC treasurer, Andy Tobias, is here. (Applause.) I think they like you, Andy. (Applause.) And I want to thank the co-chairs of the LGBT Leadership Council. Thank you so much. This is just an extraordinary event.

It is wonderful to be back in New York. I see a lot of new faces but also a lot of friends who I have known for a very long time. Many of you knew me before I had gray hair. (Laughter.) Malia and Sasha says it makes me look distinguished. Michelle says it makes me look old. (Laughter.)

Now, being here with all of you, I can't help but think back to election night two and a half years ago. We were in Grant Park -- some of you were there. Beautiful night. Culmination of an extraordinary journey; a campaign that had drawn on the hard work and support of people all across the country -- men and women who believed that change was possible, who believed that we didn't have to accept politics as usual, who believed that we could once again be a country that lived up to our highest aspirations, not our lowest common denominators. And it was a perfect night, and we were feeling pretty good, I got to admit.

But what I said then at Grant Park was that this was not the end of the road; it was just the beginning. And I said that the journey was going to be long and it was going to be difficult and there were going to be times where we stumble, that the climb was going to be steep. Now, we didn't know exactly how steep it was going to be. (Laughter.) But we knew that it wasn't going to be easy to rebuild the middle class after a decade of stagnant incomes and rising costs -- a decade where a lot of Americans felt like that dream was slipping away.

We knew it wasn't going to be easy to end two wars and restore America's leadership around the world. We knew it wasn't going to be easy to fix our immigration system; to reform our health care system; to transform our energy policy; to educate our young people for the demands of a global economy. We did not think it was going to be easy.

And I said that night I did not run for President to do easy things. I ran because I believed that as a nation it was time for us to do the hard things. It was time for us to do the big things -- even if it took time, even if sometimes it was going to be frustrating. I said I was not going to let politics or the typical Washington games stand in our way because it had held us back for too long. That's what led to the mess that we were dealing with in the first place.

So over these past two and a half years, I've had some tough calls to make. I had some tough calls as soon as I took office. We had to prevent a financial system from falling apart and dragging the economy into depression. We had to pass reforms to stop abuses in the financial system and prevent future crises. We had to rescue the auto industry. I did not think it was going to be an auto CEO. (Laughter.) Even though there were a lot of people who said, let them go, let more than a million jobs vanish, allow two of America's iconic companies to be liquidated and sold off for parts, we said no, we're going to have to step up, we're going to have to deal with it.

But even as we took these emergency steps, we started tackling all the challenges that we had talked about during the campaign, all the things that were standing in the way of the American Dream. Because that's why I ran. That's what the campaign was about. That's why you supported me. Because we believed in an economy that didn't just work for those at the top, but worked for everybody -- where prosperity was shared. (Applause.) Where prosperity was shared from the machinist on the line to the manager on the floor, to the CEO in the boardroom.

We worked so hard in 2008 because we believed that we have to define our success not just by stock prices or corporate profits, but whether ordinary folks can find a good work, whether they can afford a middle-class life, whether they can pay the mortgage and take care of their kids and save some money for their child's college education or their own retirement, and maybe have a little left over to go to a movie or dinner or even a play. (Laughter.) Since we're in New York. (Laughter.)

That's why we cut taxes for middle-class families, and ended subsidies to the banks for student loans to make college more affordable. That's why I was proud to sign a bill to make sure women earn equal pay for equal work -- a basic principle. (Applause.) That's why we're promoting manufacturing and homegrown American energy -- because that's what will lead to jobs that pay a decent salary. That's why we're standing up a new consumer bureau with just one responsibility -- looking out for ordinary folks in the financial system so they're not cheated. That's why we passed health reform, so that no one in the richest nation on Earth ever has to go bankrupt because they or somebody in their family get sick. (Applause.) That was the right thing to do. (Applause.)

We waged that long campaign in 2008 because we believed it was time to end the war in Iraq. And that is what we are doing -- ending the war in Iraq. (Applause.) We removed 100,000 troops from Iraq already, ended combat missions there. We're on track to bring the rest of our troops home by the end of this year.

I ran for President because I believed we needed to refocus our efforts in Afghanistan -- and we're doing this, too. We pummeled al Qaeda. We took out bin Laden. (Applause.) And because of our progress and the extraordinary sacrifices of our troops -- because of the extraordinary sacrifices of our troops, we're now fulfilling the commitment I made to start reducing our troops this month so that Afghans can take responsibility for their own security. (Applause.)

I also ran because we now live in a world where America is facing stiff competition for good jobs. There are rapidly growing nations like China and India -- they're hungry; they're on the move. And for a long time we were told that the best way to win this competition was to undermine consumer protections, undermine clean air and clean water laws, hand out tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires, and everything would work out just fine. It did not work out well. In fact, if you look at our history, you'll see that philosophy has never worked our very well.

America was built on the hard work of people and the ingenuity of our businesses. But we also built a system of free public high schools and sent a generation to college on the G.I. Bill. We constructed railroads and highways that spanned a continent. We invested in research and technology, and we sent a man to the moon, and we discovered lifesaving medicine. We launched the Information Age -- creating millions of jobs along the way. That's how you build a nation. That's how you build a strong middle class. And that's what we need to do today.

There is an important debate in Washington right now about cutting the deficit. And it is absolutely critical that we cut the deficit. Like families all across America, government has to live within its means. And I'm prepared to bring down our deficit by trillions of dollars -- that's "trillions" with a "t."
But I won't reduce our deficit by sacrificing the education of our young people. (Applause.)

We can't stop medical research being done by our scientists. (Applause.) We can't stop building the infrastructure that made this country great. I'm not going to sacrifice clean energy at a time when our dependence on foreign oil has caused Americans so much pain at the pump. (Applause.) That doesn't make any sense. In other words, I will not sacrifice America's future.

What makes America great is not just the scale of our skyscrapers, or our military might, or the size of our GDP. What makes us great is the character of our people. Yes, we are rugged individualists and we are self-reliant, and that's part of what makes us Americans. We don't like being told what to do.

But what also makes us who we are is we've got faith in the future and we recognize that that future is shared -- the notion that I'm my brother's keeper, I'm my sister's keeper. My life is richer and stronger when everybody in the country has some measure of security; everybody has got a fair shot at the American Dream. That's what makes us great. That's our vision for America.

It's not a vision of a small America. It's a vision of a big America; a compassionate America; and a bold and optimistic America. And it's a vision where we're living within our means, but we're still investing in our future. And everybody is making sacrifices, but nobody bears all the burden. An America where we live up to the idea that no matter who we are, no matter what we look like, we are connected to one another.

That's what led many of us to fight so hard, to knock on so many doors and maybe harangue some of our friends -- this belief that it was up to each of us to perfect this union. It was our work to make sure that we were living up to a simple American value: We're all created equal. We're all created equal.

Ever since I entered into public life, ever since I have a memory about what my mother taught me, and my grandparents taught me, I believed that discriminating against people was wrong. I had no choice. I was born that way. (Laughter and applause.) In Hawaii. (Applause.) And I believed that discrimination because of somebody's sexual orientation or gender identity ran counter to who we are as a people, and it's a violation of the basic tenets on which this nation was founded. I believe that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in this country. (Applause.)

Now, there was such a good recitation earlier by Neil that I feel bad repeating it, but let me just -- it bears repeating. (Laughter.) This is why we're making sure that hospitals extended visitation rights to gay couples, because nobody should be barred from their bedside their partner -- the beside of their partner in a moment of pain, or a moment of need. Nobody should have to produce a legal contract to hold the hand of the person that they love.

It's why we launched the first comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy, providing a road map not only to providing treatment and reducing infections -- (applause) -- but also embracing the potential of new, groundbreaking research that will help us bring an end to this pandemic.

That's why I ordered federal agencies to extend the same benefits to gay couples that go to straight couples wherever possible. That's why we're going to keep fighting until the law no longer --

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Marriage.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Marriage. Marriage. Marriage.

THE PRESIDENT: I heard you guys. (Laughter.) Believe it or not, I anticipated that somebody might -- (Laughter and applause.)

Where was I? (Laughter.) That's why we're going to keep on fighting until the law no longer treats committed partners who've been together for decades like they're strangers.

That's why I have long believed that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act ought to be repealed. It was wrong. It was unfair. (Applause.) And since I taught constitutional law for a while, I felt like I was in a pretty good position to agree with courts that have ruled that Section 3 of DOMA violates the Constitution. And that's why we decided, with my attorney general, that we could no longer defend the constitutionality of DOMA in the courts. (Applause.)

Now, part of the reason that DOMA doesn't make sense is that traditionally marriage has been decided by the states. And right now I understand there's a little debate going on here in New York -- (laughter) -- about whether to join five other states and D.C. in allowing civil marriage for gay couples. And I want to -- I want to say that under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, with the support of Democrats and Republicans, New York is doing exactly what democracies are supposed to do. There's a debate; there's deliberation about what it means here in New York to treat people fairly in the eyes of the law.

And that is -- look, that's the power of our democratic system. It's not always pretty. There are setbacks. There are frustrations. But in grappling with tough and, at times, emotional issues in legislatures and in courts and at the ballot box, and, yes, around the dinner table and in the office hallways, and sometimes even in the Oval Office, slowly but surely we find the way forward. That's how we will achieve change that is lasting -- change that just a few years ago would have seemed impossible.

Now, let me just say this. There were those who doubted that we'd be able to pass a hate crimes law. Occasionally I got hollered at about that. After a decades-long fight, we got it done -- bring us closer to the day when nobody is going to be afraid to walk down the street because they're gay or transgender. (Applause.)

There were those said we couldn't end "don't ask, don't tell." And I remember having events where folks hollered out at events. (Laughter.) But we passed the repeal. We got it done. We're now moving forward with implementing it. (Applause.) So we're no longer going to demand brave and patriotic Americans live a lie to serve their country.

Folks like Captain Jonathan Hopkins, who led a platoon into northern Iraq during the initial invasion, and quelled an ethnic riot, and earned a Bronze Star with valor. He was discharged, only to receive emails and letters from his soldiers saying if they had known he was gay all along -- that they had known he was gay all along and they still thought he was the best commander they had ever had.

That's how progress is being won -- here in New York, around the country. Day by day, it's won by ordinary people who are striving and fighting and protesting for change, and who, yes, are keeping the pressure up, including pressure on me. And by men and women who are setting an example in their own lives -- raising their families, doing their jobs, joining the PTA, singing in church, serving and sacrificing for this country overseas, even as they are not always granted the full rights of citizenship they deserve here at home.

Last year, I received a letter from a teenager growing up in a small town, and he told me he was a senior in high school, and that he was proud to be the captain of a club at his school, and that he was gay. And he hadn't told his parents. He hadn't come out. He was worried about being mocked or being bullied. He didn't think it was safe to, in his words, "openly be myself." But this 17-year-old also looked towards the day when he didn't have to be afraid; when he didn't have to worry about walking down the hallway. And he closed his letter by saying, "Everyone else is considered equal in this country. Why shouldn't we be?" (Applause.)

So, yes, we have more work to do. Yes, we have more progress to make. Yes, I expect continued impatience with me on occasion. (Laughter.) But understand this -- look, I think of teenagers like the one who wrote me, and they remind me that there should be impatience when it comes to the fight for basic equality. We've made enormous advances just in these last two and a half years. But there are still young people out there looking for us to do more, to help build a world in which they never have to feel afraid or alone to be themselves. And we know how important that is to not only tell them that it's going to get better, but to also do everything in our power to ensure that things actually are better.

I'm confident that we will achieve the equality that this young person deserves. I'm confident that the future is bright for that teenager and others like him, and that he can have the life that he wants and that he imagines.

There will be setbacks along the way. There will be times where things aren't moving as fast as folks would like. But I know that he'll look back on his struggles, and the struggles of many in this room, as part of what made change possible; part of what it took to reach the day when every single American, gay or straight or lesbian or bisexual or transgender, was free to live and love as they see fit. (Applause.)

And we can look at the progress we've made in the last two years, to the changes that were led not by Washington, but by folks standing up for themselves, or for their sons or for their daughters, fighting for what's right. Not just change on behalf of gay Americans, but for everybody looking to fulfill their version of the American Dream -- whether it's the students working their way through college, or the workers heading to factories to build American cars again, or the energy entrepreneurs testing bold ideas, the construction crews laying down roads, the small business owners and scientists and inventors and builders and all those Americans who faced hardship and setbacks but who never stopped believing in this country -- it's capacity to change; who are helping each and every day to rebuild this nation so that we emerge from this period of struggle stronger and more unified than ever before.

And that's the story of progress in America. That's what all of you represent -- of the stubborn refusal to accept anything less than the best that this country can be. And with your help, if you keep up the fight, and if you will devote your time and your energies to this campaign one more time, I promise you we will write another chapter in that story. And we are going to leave a new generation with a brighter future and a more hopeful future. And I'll be standing there, right there with you.

Thank you. God bless you. (Applause.) God bless the United States of America. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 7:24 P.M. EDT

Columbus City Council President Supports Race Track at Copper Stadium Site

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT

For Immediate Release: June 23, 2011
For More Information: John Ivanic

A statement from Columbus City Council President Andrew J. Ginther regarding the proposed rezoning and redevelopment of Cooper Stadium:

Cooper Stadium was once a vibrant and exciting place to catch a baseball game, one of Columbus’ greatest assets, and a source of pride for the Westside. It now sits empty and neglected, a shell of its former self. However, I believe this historic site can once again be an asset in our community – a focal point of entertainment, job creation and economic development.

Arshot Investment Corporation, a local developer, has invested more than 3 years of time, research and resources in an extraordinary effort to build community support and consensus for their proposal to redevelop Cooper Stadium. They have proposed a $40 million investment to breathe new life into this site; to build a half-mile racetrack, an automotive research and technology center, a hotel and restaurants. The development is expected to create at least 300 jobs at a time when they are desperately needed.

The proposal has met opposition, and there have been many questions posed to the Developer and to the City. I know that I and every member of Columbus City Council have heard the concerns, and we have listened to our constituents. We have pushed back on the developer, and worked to make sure that the community’s concerns were not just considered, but that they were addressed by the developer.

The Southwest Area Commission supports the development, and the Southwest Civic Association has signed good neighbor agreement with Arshot which clearly outlines community expectations. City Council has focused on strong, enforceable standards in the zoning legislation, adding additional language to hold the developer accountable.

What’s more, we expect that many of the terms of the good neighbor agreement and the Council zoning legislation will become part of the special permit the developer is required to obtain from the Bureau of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).

It’s through our zoning code and the terms of the special permit that we have the ability to truly hold Arshot to their word. The City will have the ability to enforce the terms of the special permit, to monitor for compliance and to take action to revoke the permit if necessary. That is, if you don’t follow through on your word, we’ll shut you down.

In the past few months, City Council has received hundreds of e-mails, letters and phone calls regarding Cooper Park. While some members of the community still express concern surrounding the development, there are just as many, if not more, who are supportive of the motor park concept.

I believe this development has tremendous potential to provide much needed jobs, educational opportunities and create a regional entertainment attraction that will help create the momentum needed to keep the Westside on the right track.

That is why Monday evening, I will be supporting the rezoning application and I urge my colleagues on Council to do the same.

I do want to acknowledge the leadership of our Mayor. Like Council, Mayor Coleman has taken a critical approach to this development, and has challenged the developer to do more to address community concerns. Because of the Mayor’s efforts, we have a much better proposal today.

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WSYX-TV: Italian Village Break-Ins

The story and video is here

Italian Village Break-Ins

COLUMBUS -- Neighbors in the Italian Village community are trying to put a stop to a rash of break ins.

Theives have been targeting homes and cars within the last two weeks. Homes on Kerr street and Russell street have been targeted.

The Italian Village block watch is aware of the crime spree and are asking neighbors to take extra precautions and to report anything suspicious.

The coordinator for the block watch, Amelia Costanzo, says they are looking to start a foot patrol in hopes of putting an end to the crime spree.

For more information about the block watch and how you can get involved you are encouraged to visit their website.

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Reporter: Maria Durant
Web Producer: Derek Drake

Central Ohio May Housing Report Shows Increasing Activity

Housing Activity Increasing

(June 21, 2011) The central Ohio housing market was active last month as more homes were put on the market and in contract compared to last year. There were 2,610 homes for sale that went into contract (but haven’t closed) which was up 44.8 percent over the 1,803 homes put in contract during May 2010 according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

As for inventory, there were 3,723 homes added to the market in May 2011, up 10.6 percent from the 3,366 new listings during the same month one year ago.

“In contracts and new listings are both important housing market indicators,” says Rick Benjamin, 2011 President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “Having such strong increases in both areas is a healthy sign for the central Ohio housing market.”

Currently, there are approximately 15,146 residential homes available for sale in the central Ohio area – 12,322 single family homes and 2,824 condominiums.

Home prices continue to inch up, with May’s average sale price up 2.6 percent over April. However, May’s average sale price of $158,191 was down 4.7 percent from the same period in 2010.

Homes closed last month reached 1,875, up 15.7 percent over April home closings, but were down 25 percent from May of 2010. “May of 2010 was a busy month for home sales as so many buyers were on their way to the closing table after meeting the home buyer tax credit deadline,” offers Benjamin. “But sales are up over 2009 when we were in the midst of the first round of home buyer tax incentives which is yet another positive sign.”

Click here to view the May sortable housing market report by area.

Click here to view the entire central Ohio Local Market Update.

The Columbus Board of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) serves all of Franklin, Delaware, Fayette, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union Counties and parts of Champagne, Clark, Hocking, Licking, Fairfield, Knox, Logan, Marion, Muskingham, Perry and Ross Counties.

A Case for LGBT-Friendly Work Environments

The story is here

A large percentage of college-educated LGBT employees remain closeted at work, increasing the likelihood of job dissatisfaction and lowering retention rates, according to a study released Tuesday by the Center for Work-Life Policy.

The study, published in the July/August issue of the Harvard Business Review, found that 48% of 2,952 survey respondents reported that they were not out at work. Those who are closeted are 73% more likely to leave their position within the next three years; 40% of those who said they are not out at work are also “less likely to trust their employer” than LGBT individuals who are open about their sexual orientation on the job.

“This study clearly shows that there is still a tremendous gap between implementation of LGBT-friendly policies and the ability and decision of employees to come out at work,” said Todd Sears, founder of Out on the Street and an adviser on the study.

“For us to move forward, it is going to take gay leaders sharing their coming-out stories and straight leaders going beyond statements of support to action, to put real faces to the discussion. Only then will companies truly get the best out of their LGBT employees and win the support of the LGBT community and marketplace,” Sears said.

The study was conducted by Sylvia Ann Hewlett and Karen Sumberg of the Center for Work-Life Policy.

Here is the press release:

Study Shows Inclusive Workplace Environments For LGBT Employees Are Crucial For Career Progression And Bottom Line Success

“The Power Of Out” - New Study Shows Inclusive Workplace Environments For LGBT Employees Are Crucial For Career Progression And Bottom Line Success

New York, NY: June 21, 2011 – A new study by the Center for Work-Life Policy, featured in the July/August issue of the Harvard Business Review, quantifies the loss to individuals and to the bottom line when organizations fail to create a workplace hospitable to their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees. The data, based on a survey of 2,952 respondents, show the consequences when LGBT employees are forced to keep their lives and loved ones a secret from colleagues.

Among the findings:

• This is a highly desirable labor pool: ambitious (71%), committed (88% are willing to go the extra mile for employers) and better educated (48% of LGBT respondents have graduate degrees versus 40% of their straight counterparts).
  

• Despite a rise in anti-discrimination protections for LGBT employees, 48 percent of LGBT survey respondents reported being closeted at work. Staying in the closet has huge consequences.

• Those who are out flourish at work, while those who are in the closet languish or leave.

• LGBT employees who are not out reported significantly greater feelings of being stalled in their careers and greater dissatisfaction with their rates of promotion and advancement.

• LGBT employees who are not out are 40 percent less likely to trust their employer than those who are out.

• Employees who remain closeted and isolated are 73 percent more likely to leave their companies within the next three years.

This is a group with economic clout and loyalty to gay friendly brands. A recent study estimates the LGBT community’s collective buying power at more than $700 billion in the U.S. alone. This is a constituency with economic firepower companies should not ignore.

According to Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founding President of the Center for Work-Life Policy and a coauthor of the study: “Organizations that encourage all of their employees to bring their whole selves to work have the greatest opportunity for innovation and growth.” “Being 'out' on Wall Street has gone from unimaginable thirty years ago to being widely accepted today with Wall Street helping lead this change,” said Todd Sears, an advisor to this study and founder of “Out on the Street,” the LGBT Wall Street leadership consortium, which held its first event on March 30, 2011. As Sears points out, “This study clearly shows that there is still a tremendous gap between implementation of LGBT-friendly policies and the ability and decision of employees to come out at work. For us to move forward, it is going to take gay leaders sharing their coming out stories and straight leaders going beyond statements of support to action, to put real faces to the discussion. Only then will companies truly get the best out of their LGBT employees and win the support of the LGBT community and marketplace.”

Methodology

Sponsored by American Express, Boehringer Ingelheim USA, Cisco, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, and Google, research for this study comprised of focus groups, Virtual Strategy Sessions, one-on-one interviews, and a US national survey (January and February 2010 with 2,952 respondents) conducted by Knowledge Networks under the auspices of the Center for Work-Life Policy, a nonprofit research organization.

Center for Work-Life Policy

The Center for Work-Policy is a nonprofit think tank based in New York City. CWLP’s flagship project is the Hidden Brain Drain Task Force—a private sector task force focused on global talent innovation. The 67 global corporations and organizations that constitute the Task Force, representing four million employees and operating in 190 countries around the world, are united by an understanding that the full realization of the talent pool is at the heart of competitive advantage and economic success.

Upcoming Virtual Master Class

The CWLP will be hosting an interactive Virtual Master Class on June 29th from 12pm – 1:15pm EDT. With a focus on cutting-edge initiatives being seeded in leading-edge companies across sectors, the web-based Virtual Master Class will unpack the power of being able to bring one’s whole self to work. In addition to sharing the new CWLP research, the 75-minute session will include an interactive Q&A. For more information go to www.worklifepolicy.org/rsvp.

About the Authors

Sylvia Ann Hewlett is an economist and the founding president of the Center for Work-Life Policy (a nonprofit think tank), where she founded and now chairs the “Hidden Brain Drain” Task Force, a group of 67 global companies and organizations committed to fully realizing female and multicultural talent. She leads the CWLP’s advisory services practice Sylvia Ann Hewlett Associates. She also directs the Gender and Policy Program at the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Women’s Empowerment. She is the author of nine Harvard Business Review articles and eleven critically acclaimed nonfiction books including the forthcoming Winning the War for Talent in Emerging Markets (Harvard Business Press, September 2011), When the Bough Breaks, Creating a Life, Off-Ramps and On-Ramps and Top Talent: Keeping Performance Up When Business Is Down (Harvard Business Press). She has taught at Cambridge, Columbia and Princeton Universities and held fellowships at the Institute for Public Policy Research in London and the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard. She is a featured blogger on Harvard Business Online. A Kennedy Scholar and graduate of Cambridge University, Hewlett earned her PhD in economics at London University.

Karen Sumberg is senior vice president, director of projects and communications at the Center for Work-Life Policy and a director with the CWLP’s advisory services practice Sylvia Ann Hewlett Associates. She leads research projects for the CWLP including “The Sponsor Effect,” “Bookend Generations: Leveraging Talent and Finding Common Ground,” and “Sin Fronteras: Celebrating and Capitalizing on the Strengths of Latina Executives.” She is coauthor of Harvard Business Review article “How Gen Y & Boomers Will Reshape Your Agenda,” as well as the Harvard Business Review Research Reports The Athena Factor: Reversing the Brain Drain in Science, Engineering, and Technology and The Sponsor Effect, CWLP reports The Under-Leveraged Talent Pool: Women Technologists on Wall Street and Off-Ramps and On-Ramps Revisited and a Harvard Business online blog. Prior to joining CWLP, Sumberg worked in Japan and Australia and has experience in the publishing industry with a focus on marketing and communications. Sumberg received her BA from the University of Maryland and her MBA from Fordham University.

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