Central Florida Out & Equal Summit brings thousands to town

Orlando – In a year that has seen huge tragedy, immense recovery, a hurricane, an election that blew much harder than that hurricane, and all of the piecing of our rights back together, it’s been easy to lose sight of our victories, notably in the corporate world. The Out & Equal Summit, which took place on Oct. 4 at Disney’s Swan & Dolphin resorts, is part think tank, part party. Even Lance Bass was a keynote speaker.

At the event, the largest of its kind, nearly 5,000 corporate leaders from the world over stepped forward to find ways to protect workplace rights for the LGBTQ community. This year, the Orlando affiliate took home the prize for Affiliate of the Year. It was no sympathy award for a city in the spotlight, but an award more for the cooperation between several of our larger companies and their respective staffs.

“These large companies help steer America,” Out & Equal’s Andrea Hays says. “We use our brands to get the right things done. This isn’t just an award for Orlando, but for all of Central Florida.”

The purpose is to show how equality works, she says.

“Our vision is one of workplace equality and inclusion for everyone to be their authentic self, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression” Out & Equal’s Sherri Absher says. “Our mission is to educate and empower Greater Orlando area workplaces, employee resource groups and individual employees by providing tools and innovative programming and networking opportunities.”

“I think we are going to increase our efforts tenfold after this election,” she adds.

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