Page 55 - BEQ Magazine Vol2 Iss4 V2

Witeck misstep. LGBT Equality.” economy.”
With the threat of a global “It’s in their DNA now, and And it is, if you consider
Continued from PAGE 8 boycott looming, American asked that’s powerful to see,” he said. the NGLCC’s first-ever snapshot
Witeck’s firm for help. He met with “Their approach has been one that demonstrating the economic and
the gay community, Witeck said. several AA senior leaders to help you and I know has been modeled social impact of America’s LGBTQ
But that began to change—partly them not only to better understand by many companies for a long business owners and entrepreneurs.
as a result of the work Witeck did and show equal respect to the time.” The NGLCC report released in
with his firm’s first two clients that LGBTQ community, but also by Now corporations not only January 2017, entitled “America’s
helped define their business for accelerating internal education on engage the gay community, they LGBT Economy,” estimates the
years to come. HIV/AIDS issues for all employees. often lead the fight to block anti- economic contribution of the
Witeck-Combs worked with That included educating the gay legislation or policies. In projected 1.4 million LGBTQ
the Human Rights Campaign airline—and a wider corporate recent years, another Witeck business enterprises in this country
Fund—now called Human America—that a significant number client, Walmart, opposed anti- at nearly $1.7 trillion.
Rights Campaign—to create the of their coworkers are, indeed, gay legislation in its home state Witeck believes that part of
first promotional campaigns for LGBTQ individuals. of Arkansas. In 2015, CEOs from the reason those numbers are so
National Coming Out Day in “[Our firm] started by helping dozens of corporations spoke compelling is that many LGBTQ
the early 1990s. Remember out people these days don’t want to be
actors Amanda Bearse (“Married “round pegs in square holes.” They
with Children”) and Dan Butler no longer conform to institutional
(“Frasier”) declaring “I’m not a “At the moment, the United States expectations or remain invisible as
straight person, but I play one on they did in the past.
TV”? Those spots gave the LGBTQ has little or no moral leadership “We don’t want to put on
community positive resonance, somebody else’s suit anymore,
and showed that yes, even the politically. We don’t have it at the we just want to wear our own
most narrow-minded viewers have identities,” he said. “And I think
welcomed gay actors into their national level, so I think business that’s tremendously encouraging.”
homes on popular television shows. LGBTQ people’s desire to
The same year, Witeck-Combs leaders are among those standing up live authentically in every aspect
began consulting with American of their lives isn’t all that excites
Airlines over two separate incidents today for our true values.” Witeck. Despite the current U.S.
of “regrettable ignorance and offense government’s swing to the right and
to both people living with HIV and recent attacks on inclusion overall
gay people,” as Witeck put it. and LGBTQ rights in particular,
In 1993, as gay activists flew American Airlines fly smoothly out after then Indiana Governor he said he believes the community
back to Dallas after attending and proudly,” Witeck said, “and Mike Pence signed a law allowing “has new energy surrounding these
the national Gay, Lesbian and Bi to reinforce the facts that LBGTQ businesses to refuse service to issues” because of the challenges.
March on Washington, an AA flight people are an essential and visible LGBTQ customers on religious “We have to learn again how to
attendant requested the pillows part of their workforce, part of their grounds. Many other corporations navigate in peril. I think we have
and blankets used by the activist investors, part of their leadership, have championed marriage to figure out new strategies to deal
passengers be removed and changed and of course, many of their most equality. with the new realities,” he advised.
at risk of HIV transmission. loyal and frequent customers.” And now that corporations not “I’m encouraged here because
Later the same year, a man Witeck has worked with only recognize and support their I think business has leapfrogged
living with AIDS was removed American Airlines ever since. The gay employees, but work to advance government in some ways,” he said.
from another flight after he airline is a founding corporate them to the C-Suite, “we” truly are “At the moment, the United States
requested to have his intravenous member of NGLCC and is one of everywhere. has little or no moral leadership
drip bag suspended from the only a handful of companies that “The value of inclusion is really politically. We don’t have it at the
overhead luggage department. has been designated by the Human a business imperative,” Witeck said. national level, so I think business
The man’s objections showed that Rights Campaign since 2002 as “It’s not a good thing to do, it’s a leaders are among those standing
AA employees had caused another one of the “Best Places to Work for necessary thing to do to grow the up today for our true values.” 

BEQ PRIDE December 2017 | 55