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noted . notable . noteworthy GLBT issues
Q-Living:
Paula Poundslone
mnes to Durham
VOLUME ±9 . ISSUE 21
SINCE 198« WWW.Q-NOTES.COM FEBRUARY 2« . 2005
GLAAD launches
new ad campaign
North and South
Carolina
North Carolina:
FImmaker sees success
with loggerheads’ 01
South Carolina:
Myrtle Beach to host
AIDS quilt 11
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In the next issue:
Right around the corner —
get ready tor Gardening fun!
Companies in the Carolinas that are good to
their gay employees
Company policies make many
businesses good for gays
by Mark Smith
what do you look for in a good employer?
Chances are — if you’re like most folks —
you’re looking for a company that will pay
you what you’re worth, provide benefits,
offer job security, room for advancement and
a pleasant work environment.
Sound like to much to ask for? We don’t
think so.
But the fact of the matter is gays and les
bians looking for all those qualities might not
find fulfilling them so easy.
But don’t be surprised — one of N.C.’s
largest employers offers just what many gay
and lesbian workers are in search of.
US Airways employs more than 5,700
people in North Carolina alone. The compa
ny also offers multiple benefits for its gay
employees.
“Health benefits and all travel benefits are
extended to all domestic and life partners,”
explains US Airways spokesperson Twana
Williams. “The travel benefits began in 2001
and health benefits were initiated in
2002.”
in addition to the benefits, US
Airways has also participated in com
munity Pride events and the Metrolina
AIDS Project’s Evening of Giving.
“There’s also the gay and lesbian
employee group,” adds Williams, “it’s
called US Airways Spectrum.”
Founded in May of 2003, member
ship to the organization is available to
all US Airways employees.
After further research, we’ve
uncovered a rather sizeable number of
companies operating in the Carolinas
that have both non-discrimination
policies and domestic partnership
benefits.
American Gty Business Journals, headquar
tered in Charlotte, publishes business jour
nals for cities across the country. The com
pany has a non-discrimination policy cover
ing sexual orientation and offers health
insurance coverage to employees’ domestic
partners.
www.biziournols.com
US Airwoiys employs more than 5,700 people in
North Carolina.
Blockbrnid Inc, is the leading global provider
of software and related services designed
specifically for nonprofit organizations.
Located in Charleston, S.C., they maintain a
non-discrimination policy and benefits for
same-sex spouses,
www.blockbouicom
see BEST COMPANIESon 21
Charlotte banks offer
partnership benefits
Bank of America and Wachovia stand in
support of their gay and lesbian employees
by David Moore
Q-Notes staff
in an historically conservative town like Charlotte
— especially when the leading business entity is
banking — it might come as a surprise to learn that
the city’s two largest financial institutions are bucking
the old trends.
Bank of America and Wachovia, bqth headquar
tered in this city, have made a concerted, caring effort
to provide for their LGBT employees.
“We’ve offered domestic partnership benefits since
1997,” says Bonk of Amerka spokesperson Tara Burke.
“We pride ourselves on offering equal opportunities
in the work place and support for different family
structures.”
The wide range of benefits includes health, dental, vision, bereavement, family leave, life
insurance, adoption assistance, relocation and pension survivorship.
According to Burke, the program was initiated because of the growing needs of LGBT
employees.
“It’s available throughout the company and country,” she explains. “Regardless of any
state laws we have offered it and will continue to do so.”
Employees of Bank of America seeking to qualify for domestic partnership benefits must
meet specific requirements pertaining to the length of their relationship, if the relationship is
expected to be indefinite and whether or not the individual has had another domestic partner.
see WACHOVIA on 4
Chariotte's Bank of America Tower
Gay penguin
drama
Aversion therapy fails ’
by Mark Smith
BREMEN, Germany — A zoo in Bremen,
Germany, captured the world’s attention during
the first week of February when it announced
that they were trying to “cure” three gay
Humboldt penguin couples using a form of
aversion therapy.
According to wire
reports, the Bremerhaven
Zoo split up the couples
and imported four
female penguins from
Sweden. In the begin
ning, zoo officials
couldn’t understand why
the mating pairs weren’t
producing offspring.
“They did the usual
courting dances, built nests together, appeared
to have sex and still no little penguins,” said zoo
director Heike Kueck.
Finally they did a DNA test to see if there was
something genetically wrong — only then did
they realize that all six of the birds were males.
Kueck said that the birds had been mating
for years and one couple even adopted a stone
that they protected like an egg.
see PENGUINSon 17