Two University of Utah Students Tackle LGBT Equality in the Workplace

by Brandon Miller · 2010-12-15 13:23:00 UTC
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Utah: land of the gays. Okay, not quite. But progress is being made across the United States and the Mormon capital is no exception. This week, the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah officially revealed the formation of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Students and Allies in Business (GLBT Alliance).

“We are honored to support this important grassroots student-run association founded and run by two socially conscious, entrepreneurial students,” says Scott Schaefer, the associate dean of the David Eccles School of Business. “The GLBT Alliance will be a vital source of knowledge and support not only for gay and transgender students, but for everyone who is or will ever be a co-worker, manager, employer, employee or friend of a GLBT individual – essentially everyone at the University. This organization is at the core of our overarching mission to empower our students to embrace their individuality and realize their potential.”

The organization was formed to create awareness about essential issues pertaining to LGBT people in both the workplace as well as academia. The focus is on helping to create productive and positive work environments, with the goal of helping organizations realize the value of diversity. Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas ... er, Utah ... anymore.

“We have been extremely gratified by the unfailing support we have received from the David Eccles School of Business leadership and students and faculty from throughout the University in launching the GLBT Alliance,” says co-founder Marc Stillman, a second-year student.

Stillman founded the group along with James Oliver, a first-year student. Since its inception, the alliance has already held two activities. In October, members attended the 2010 Reaching Out MBA Conference in Los Angeles, California. And this month, the group held a public forum on the experience of gay employees and managers in different business situations.

“As issues of equality and diversity come more and more to the societal forefront, there will be increasing competition to perform well in measures of enlightened treatment of GLBT individuals and other diverse populations,” says co-founder James Oliver. “We hope to be a catalyst to help businesses in the state to create vibrant work environments that will be magnets for diversity.”

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Brandon Miller is a freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Ontario.

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