Outie Awards (the “Outies”) recognize individuals and organizations who are leaders in advancing equality for LGBTQ people in workplaces globally. Outies are awarded at the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit.
This is the most prestigious Outie. It recognizes an employer that demonstrates a historic and ongoing commitment to pursuing and implementing workplace equality for LGBTQ employees. This employer not only raises the bar and serves as an example for others, but also supports other organizations’ D&I efforts through active knowledge sharing and peer organization mentoring.
The 2021 Workplace Excellence Outie Award honorees are below. The Outie winners were announced at the annual Workplace Summit happening October 6-8, 2021.
Winner
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase has long been a leader in diversity and LGBTQ inclusion globally – from being one of the first U.S. financial firms to offer transgender benefits, to this year introducing gender affirming surgery coverage for employees in the Philippines. JPMorgan’s robust global LGBTQ+ strategic plan led to the creation of a full-time team led by a Managing Director with the title of Global Head of LGBT+ Affairs. JPMorgan Chase’s leadership is also evident in its partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations that are already doing inclusion work. JPMorgan approaches their strategic partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations through a “surround sound” suite of philanthropic support, including financial support, employee volunteering, and resources that amplify community voices. In 2021, JPMorgan announced grants of $5.5 million to 6 strategic LGBTQ+ organizations covering different facets and stages of LGBTQ people’s lives. JPMorgan Chase also has a clear record of pushing boundaries to achieve full inclusion. It has continued to expand their PRIDE BRG in locations, such as Poland, Brazil, India, and Israel, where local laws and cultural norms can be particularly challenging for the LGBTQ+ community.
In their own words: “JPMorgan Chase is an innovator in the realm of LGBTQ workplace equality. A full-time, dedicated team and senior leader that heads the Office of LGBT+ Affairs shows that JPMC is paving the way and challenging other companies to step up and show real commitment to the community, as we have done.”
Honorees
Gap Inc.
As one of the largest and most recognized retail brands in the world, Gap is a company capable of leveraging its footprint and voice to drive meaningful social impact. Gap has supported the LGBTQ community throughout its history: In the early years of the AIDS Walk, it was one of the first retail companies to rally employees to participate and to raise funds. In the mid-1990s it was the first specialty retailer to offer same-sex domestic partner benefits. And in the 2000s, through the Gap (RED) Collection, Gap helped to generate close to $10 million toward the fight against AIDS. Gap’s brands highlight the LGBTQ community in meaningful marketing campaigns such as the “love all ways” Pride campaign, GENERATION GOOD, and many more. Recently, 16-year-old Gap employee, Stella Keating, became the first transgender youth to testify before the U.S. Senate for the Equality Act as part of GenderCool, an organization that Gap has partnered with for years.
In their own words: “Creating a culture where our underrepresented communities are seen, heard, and valued is key for our business to thrive. Systemic change happens through our people, our brands, and the communities we serve. We recognize the work is never done.”
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Capital One
Capital One has a strong track record of advocating for policies and institutions that advance all dimensions of LGBTQ+ equality as well as other communities that have been traditionally marginalized. That these efforts are supported from the top is evidenced by their extensive investment in their BRGs and by the existence of an Executive Diversity Council that is committed to the representation and inclusion of all underrepresented groups at Capital One with an emphasis on leader and executive representation growth. The impact of these efforts stretches beyond the organization. Capital One regularly participates in benchmarking, knowledge sharing, and co-developing original research with their Diversity Community Partners. Their support for LGBTQ community is also increasingly evident in their external funding efforts and in their integrated marketing campaigns, such as this year’s “Pride is Powerful.”
In their own words: “There’s still awareness to be raised, policy to be changed, and equality to be achieved. But when we come together as a community, our voices are more powerful, celebrations are more memorable, and our impact more lasting.”