Microsoft

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Employees at Microsoft

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Employees at Microsoft

GLEAM is the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) employee resource group at Microsoft.

Microsoft has been a pioneer in workplace diversity. It was one of the first companies in the world to offer employee benefits to same-sex domestic partners and to include sexual orientation in its corporate nondiscrimination policy. Since 1989, Microsoft has supported and sponsored gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues at Microsoft. In 1993, the employee resource group—Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Employees at Microsoft (GLEAM)—was organized. GLEAM now has more than 700 members.

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Timeline

1989

  • Microsoft is among the first companies to expand its nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation.


1993

  • GLEAM is launched with 12 members.

  • GLEAM is instrumental in securing domestic partner benefits for GLBT employees. Microsoft was one of the first Fortune 500 companies to offer this benefit.


1999

  • GLEAM membership reaches 250 employees. 


2001

  • The L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center awards Microsoft the Corporate Vision Award.


2003

  • Microsoft ranks number three on the Gay Financial Networks Top 50 Most Powerful and Gay-Friendly Public Companies in Corporate America.

  • Microsoft scores an 86 on the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Corporate Equality Index rating, the second-highest score.

  • Microsoft ranks on the list of the 22 Fortune and Forbes companies with HRC Corporate Equality Index ratings that endorsed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.


2004

  • GLEAM membership reaches 700 employees.

  • GLEAM sponsors and attends the Out & Equal Workplace Summit.


2005

  • Microsoft announces the addition of partial coverage for transgender surgery (effective in 2006) to its existing coverage of other transgender-specific health benefits.

  • GLEAM is instrumental in adding gender identity and expression to the Microsoft Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

  • Microsoft scores 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index rating, the highest attainable score.

  • Microsoft is a Platinum Sponsor for the Seattle Pride celebration.


2006

  • Microsoft scores 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index rating for the second year.

  • Microsoft is listed in the HRC 2006 Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

  • Microsoft GLEAM wins the Out & Equal "Outie" award for Best Employee Resource Group of the Year.

  • Microsoft GLEAM receives the President's Award for corporate leadership from the Lifelong AIDS Alliance.


2007

  • Microsoft scores 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index rating for the third year.

  • Microsoft is listed in the HRC 2007 Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.

  • Microsoft officially supports the U.S. Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

  • Charlene Strong speaks at Microsoft’s U.S. Coming Out Day celebration.


2008

  • Microsoft scores 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index rating for the fourth year.

  • Microsoft is listed in the HRC 2008 Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.

  • Out Microsoft Transgender Executive, Megan Wallent, presents at the Out & Equal Workplace Summit.

  • Dan Savage speaks at Microsoft’s U.S. Coming Out Day celebration.


2009

  • Microsoft scores 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index rating for the fifth year.

  • Microsoft is listed in the HRC 2009 Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.

  • Microsoft receives the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) Special Recognition Award.

  • Microsoft is a Silver Sponsor for the Seattle Pride celebration and a Platinum Sponsor for the Fargo, ND–Moorhead, MN, Pride festival.


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GLEAM and the Community

Donations
Microsoft Corporation donates software, services, and equipment to numerous GLBT civil rights and service organizations, including the Greater Seattle Business Association (the Northwest's GLBT Chamber of Commerce); the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center; GLAAD; the HRC: Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Northwest; Seattle LGBT Community Center; Lambert House (the local LGBT Youth drop-in center); and Pride Foundation.

Events
GLEAM participates in many social and educational activities and partners with the GLBT community to promote participation in annual events, including the following:

  • Celebration events during the Microsoft Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month and Seattle Pride Celebration

  • Microsoft Day of Caring

  • Seattle AIDS Walk

  • Representation at nationwide conferences, including the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, the HRC, and Out & Equal


Sponsorships and Partnerships
GLEAM participates in sponsorship funding of annual activities, including the Microsoft Giving Campaign, HRC National Dinner, Out & Equal Workplace Summit, National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Conference, Teaching Respect for All Conferences for the youth organization GLSEN, an annual fundraiser for Lambert House, and the Seattle AIDS Walk. The network enters into partnerships with U.S. and international associations, nonprofit organizations, and special interest groups to increase GLBT awareness, drive joint objectives, and help organizations in need.

Impact
GLEAM's impact is visible throughout Microsoft. GLEAM works to drive GLBT-friendly changes in company policies and the work environment, provides support and networking opportunities for its members, and promotes activities within Microsoft that raise awareness about its GLBT community. GLEAM members interact through programs such as:

  • Movie nights and lunches.

  • Meetings with other GLBT groups.

  • Sports and cultural activities.

  • Discussions with community leaders about gender and sexuality.

  • Volunteering and fundraising for local GLBT support organizations.


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GLEAM and Employee Career and Leadership Development at Microsoft

Microsoft corporate support for GLEAM comes in many forms, including leadership advice, executive sponsorship, and financial and nonfinancial resources to help drive programs, new policies, and event sponsorships. Microsoft has lobbied successfully to support inclusion initiatives and bills, and Microsoft is a strong part of a coalition of businesses that support passage of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would provide basic protections against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

GLEAM works within the Microsoft corporate environment on a number of initiatives and programs, including:

  • Diversity initiatives. GLEAM partners with Microsoft's executive leadership teams to define and implement corporate diversity initiatives companywide, such as the company's GLBT Pride Month celebration and GLBT-specific diversity training. GLEAM also provides consulting for the product development groups.

  • Employee mentoring. The GLEAM board coordinates an informal mentoring effort that provides GLEAM members with opportunities to connect with other GLBT employees or allies according to their specified criteria, such as seniority within the company, career, and business function. The goal of the program is to provide support and mentorship in career growth for GLBT employees.


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More Information

For more information about GLEAM and its programs, contact GLEAM by mail or by e-mail:

Microsoft Corporation
GLEAM Employee Resource Network
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052

glbt@microsoft.com

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"Microsoft is proud to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for our efforts to create an equitable workplace. We value the ideas and leadership of all our employees. An inclusive approach is crucial to our business, and we are working to be an industry leader in diversity."

— Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft Corporation

"One of our secrets to success is that we encourage new ideas and talent and stay closely connected to what members want from the network."

— Samantha Britney, Microsoft GLEAM Member