Verizon Shareholders Vote Down Protections Based On Gender Identity And Expression

Just wrong!

I won't be using Verizon either. They just lost a valued customer. I hope everyone who uses them follows suit....

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by: juicyjuice @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 12:41:27 PM CDT

Looks like...

Looks like a move to AT&T is in store for me.  I despise the company and their coverage in my area, but at least they don't disciminate.

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by: Will St. James @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 13:17:28 PM CDT

It doesn't surprise me

GLOBE was never helpful to me when I worked for Bell. It always seemed that they were just doing lavender washing for the company.

Case in point, they supported Red Cross blood drives even though Red Cross didn't accept our blood. I tried to get them to educate the union on this issue ...

It might be worth some of us contacting them to see how a group that:

Mission
The purpose of this organization shall be to address the needs and concerns of employees of Verizon who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender or who have family, friends or colleagues who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender, thereby creating a working environment in which each individual is treated with respect and dignity.

can take a position that goes against its' "mission".

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by: johnlclark @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 13:39:42 PM CDT

Try...

Try contacting HRC first.  They're experts at such contradictory 'positions.'

Kat

>^..^<

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by: KatRose @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 14:00:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Believe it or not...

...That was mentioned in the Bay Area Reporter article. The HRC's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) was mentioned, which was followed up by reporter Seth Hemmelgarn mentioning that the "HRC itself has run into trouble with the transgender community in the last year."

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~~Autumn~~

As if there were safety in stupidity alone.
--Henry David Thoreau

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by: Autumn Sandeen @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 14:07:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I noticed that

The vote could bring some bad news for the company, though. The Human Rights Campaign likely will knock the company's Corporate Equality Index score from 85 to 70 if Verizon doesn't make any changes by late August, when HRC expects to publish its latest rankings

Is that HRC way of saying, "Shame on you for stealing our tactics?"

From GLOBE's mission statement:

...by ensuring that Verizon corporate programs and policy address issues affecting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender employees at Verizon

So are they saying that excluding gender identity in their non-discrimination policy does not affect the transgender employees at their company? Well, there's logic for ya.

watashi no yomeiri wa doko desu ka

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by: belfrieboi @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 14:56:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

GLOBE

just misspoke their mission.

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by: Jami @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 14:31:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It's always about education

While the HRC got that exclusive ENDA through the House & celebrated, many forces joined together in United ENDA. Our state org., Equality Maryland, got on-board and fired up its' mailing list in the first days. We've had an exclusive ENDA here for the last 5 or so years. The year ENDA "passed", the HRC gave lots of "technical assistance" to get it through.

EqMD's ED has a good statement about how this divided us in the new report on transgender inclusion. This summer & fall, it looks like we will have to fight a referendum seeking to overturn transgender protections in the county next to me. It will provide a perfect opportunity to educate inside and outside the LGBT "community".  

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by: johnlclark @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 15:17:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I called to cancel my service,

  They informed me that Verizon Wireless and Verizon Communications are two different companies.  The service rep informed me that they (Verizon Wireless) does support Gender Identity.

 I will look into to this further. when I have a bit more time.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 14:55:39 PM CDT

That's not what the HRC's CEI page for Verizon Wireless says...

Basically, the person at Verizon Wireless wasn't telling you the truth, if the HRC's Corporate Equality Index page for Verizon Wireless is accurate -- which I believe it is. The page states the following regarding Verizon Wireless:

Has a written non-discrimination policy covering gender identity in its employee handbook or manual - N (No)

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~~Autumn~~

As if there were safety in stupidity alone.
--Henry David Thoreau

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by: Autumn Sandeen @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 16:19:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Verizon Wireless Does Not Support Gender Identitiy

I just read their Code of Conduct, Verizon Communications too. Neither support Gender Identity...this link is wireless coc... http://aboutus.vzw.com/pdfs/Co...

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by: juicyjuice @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 18:25:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, I will call them tomarrow,

  and cancel.  Thank you for providing the info.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 18:33:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

...and what does Joe S & HRC

Have to say about this. Does Verizon still gets it #1 gay friendly rating, cuz of course T's don't count??  

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 15:36:11 PM CDT

Tired of being a red headed step child

 I'm so sick about the way the gay community at large treats me and the rest of us that I'm not exactly motivated to help when it comes to issues close to gay men especially. Though I have yet to meet a Lesbian who is such a bigot, intolerance seems rampant among gay males and I just can't get overly passionate about same sex marriage when my community is exploited thus. We are only welcomed when there is a perceived benefit to gay men, otherwise they don't want us to speak or to be seen. Since I can't marry anybody of any gender in my state, why should I get worked up and make the effort to advocate for equal rights for all when my rights are not only unsafeguarded but actively and continually diminished in some cases at the behest of the gay community? Are gay men so insecure with themselves that they need to have someone to hate on? They must be taking lessons from the Israelis.
(sigh)
The fact is, that my conscience won't let me give up the fight for equal rights for all, even, yes, bigots and transphobes who work against me. What's right is right and what's wrong is wrong. I can't stop doing what I perceive to be right because these people hate my very existence but I'll never forget it, nor will I ever forget who it was who has encouraged and tolerated my continued lack of human rights. For some reason, the right for an individual to wed another individual of the same gender has been judged to be much more important than my right to live, work and support myself. Pardon me if I don't agree.

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by: Margaret @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 16:34:28 PM CDT

... it that true?

I know my transf F>M patient married his F partner of 15+ years, and they also adopted children.. Here in California around 1990. I don't know how it works as to your gender identity? on your drivers license? does Social Security know? I believe a few have discussed it supeficially here.. I suppose I should read one of the books.

Good luck to you.  My voice will always be added to yours. (for what it is worth.)

Straight for Equality MD 

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 18:45:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

But Especially a gay man

should know the hurt and pain caused by being discriminated against and not having basic equal rights. Shame on anyone who is such a hypocrite. Selfish, coldhearted bastards!  I fully support my trans-brothers and sisters!!!!

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by: juicyjuice @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 18:48:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

...did you see?

Where the ATLANTA Pride committee turned down sponsorship of their festival by HRC because they are not 'inclusive' enough. Supposedly $5000. from Washington Blade the latest blog #18178. I'ts over 4th of July. HRC can still participate in market and parade... ?? may be demonstrators against them though.

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 19:29:39 PM CDT

Yes

Another article is here http://www.expressgaynews.com/...  Although this article seems kinda slanted that Atlanta Pride could be bought off if HRC offered more money.  I don't believe that.  Atlanta Pride could use any and all money this year because they had to relocate from Piedmont Park because of the drought down here; and the move to the new venue (partially indoors) costs tens of thousands of dollars more than the park.  

And Margaret (see above) not all gay men and women are that way.  This goes to show that a large organization can/will make a stand as many other organizations have.  I am sorry if those around you prove contrary to what I or my friends believe.

Ironically, Verizon Wireless is a Bronze sponsor for Atlanta Pride.  Not sure how I feel about this.  In one way it is different because they are a company and I say take their money and tell them that we still will not do business with them.  This is different than a non-profit organization that is supposed to be working for all of us.  On the other hand, there seems to be a message by outright denying the business sponsorship also.

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by: Will St. James @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 22:07:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

not using them

i wont use verizon, this is absurd

http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com

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by: hippie4lyfe @ Thu May 08, 2008 at 22:56:49 PM CDT

Here's the answer...

...Go with CREDO -- formerly Working Assets -- LGBT-supportive without AT&T's baggage of collaborating with the Bush Administration's warrantless spying on American citizens. Do it!

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by: johnbinpt @ Fri May 09, 2008 at 01:17:44 AM CDT