May 16, 2012
Out & Equal Announces Navratilova and Amaechi as Keynote Speakers
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 2 MIN.
LONDON, England - Convening in London on 5 and 6 July, business leaders will consider ways to increase workplace equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees around the world. The Global LGBT Workplace Summit will feature dynamic speakers:
Tennis legend and cultural icon Martina Navratilova has been a lifelong champion for individual freedom and a pioneer for human rights. Outspoken and unapologetic about her sexual orientation, Martina is a vocal advocate for equality and is passionate about her philanthropic work within the LGBT community.
Harry van Dorenmalen was appointed chairman of IBM Europe on October 1, 2010. He represents IBM to European institutions and other authorities such as NATO and the European Defence Agency on issues of international public policy and business regulation.
John Amaechi is an organisational consultant, a high-performance executive coach and a New York Times best-selling author. In February 2007, after his retirement from professional basketball, Amaechi became the first former player to come out publicly. In the UK, John has his own sports and community centre serving more than 2,500 young people each week.
Previously Co-founder and Chair of Stonewall, Michael Cashman MEP campaigned alongside Ian McKellen and others to repeal Section 28, an amendment that stated that local authorities "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality," and helped bring equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people to the forefront of British politics. He is currently the Chair of the UK Labour Party's National Executive Committee and a member of the European Parliament.
Additionally, BBC correspondent Jane Hill will be moderating a panel addressing how business visibility has an impact on LGBT issues globally.
Convened by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates with support from a number of partner organisations, the conference expects to draw several hundred people from multiple countries in London on 5-6 July at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
Partner organisations include Pride at Work Canada, PARKS, Kaleidoscope International Diversity Trust, Equal India Alliance, Q Factor, and Bailey Balfour Consulting; friends are Community Business, Workplace Pride and Tumlare Mice & Sport. IBM is the presenting sponsor for the conference; other corporate sponsors include Deutsche Bank, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, Citi, Eli Lilly, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, British Airways, The Advocate, and Gay Star News.
The event will include dozens of workshops, a Gala Dinner, and multiple opportunities for learning and networking.
Detailed information about the LGBT Global Workplace Summit can be found at www.GlobalLGBTWorkplaceSummit.org.
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
