Honoring leadership in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
For more than 20 years, Out & Equal’s Recognition Programs have recognized the boldest champions of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion, celebrating those working to advance belonging for all. Through the years, more than 100 individuals, organizational practices and ERGs across a range of categories have been honored as role models for outstanding inclusive leadership efforts in their organizations and beyond.
The Outie Awards and the Arne Sorenson Vanguard Award are presented at the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit, showcasing award-winners as LGBTQ+ inclusion champions and providing employer-of-choice visibility for winning organizations.
Outie Award Categories
Workplace Excellence & Belonging
The most prestigious of the Outie Awards is the Workplace Excellence and Belonging Outie Award, which recognizes an employer that demonstrates a historic and ongoing commitment to pursuing and implementing workplace equality for LGBTQ+ employees. This employer’s approach to LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion raises the bar and serves as an example for others, while supporting other organizations through active knowledge sharing and mentoring.
Employee Resource Group of the Year
The Employee Resource Group (ERG) of the Year Outie Award honors a group with a proven track record of success. Top contenders are ERGs or BRGs that continuously elevate best practices, implement intersectional and collaborative programming with other groups, and advocate for LGBTQ+ equality in its workplace.
New Employee Resource Group Chapter of the Year
The New Employee Resource Group (ERG) Chapter of the Year Outie Award recognizes a chapter that has been established within the last two years (the organization ERG can have existed longer than that, but the chapter must be new) and has made a bold impact at their company or nonprofit since launch.
LGBTQ+ Corporate Advocate
The LGBTQ+ Corporate Advocate of the Year Outie Award recognizes an LGBTQ+ individual who actively advocates to improve their organization’s inclusion efforts, pushing to adopt best practices benefiting LGBTQ+ employees, and advancing the organization’s standing as a true leader in this work. Advocates are also boldly making a difference outside their workplace, promoting change and equality in their community, their country and the world.
Ally Changemaker
The Ally Changemaker Outie Award honors an ally who has made a significant contribution to advancing LGBTQ+ workplace equality. This person is an action-oriented and intentional changemaker. They are role models for others, uplifting the voices of marginalized groups, demonstrating a unique commitment to LGBTQ+ workplace rights and using their talents to further that cause, even when at risk.
The Arne Sorenson Vanguard Award
Named in memory of Marriott International’s former CEO Arne Sorenson, an exceptional business ally and bold advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equality, the Vanguard Award honors those who are driving change in meaningful and lasting ways for historically overlooked and/or marginalized communities.
