DALLAS — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) has announced that the company proudly shows its dedication to the LGBT community through its recognition of Gay Pride Month in June and its support of LGBT-focused community partnerships throughout the year.
“Southwest Airlines has a unique culture based on respect, recognizing the value of all our employees, the importance of our communities, and dedicated service to our customers,” said Ellen Torbert, Southwest Airlines’ vice president of Diversity and Inclusion. “We enjoy the opportunity to recognize Gay Pride Month each June, but our commitment to the LGBT community isn’t just a month-long celebration. We give back to the LGBT community throughout the year through our ongoing community partnerships.”
2014 activities:
Jan. 29 – Feb. 2 | National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the 26th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, Houston
Southwest Airlines was recognized with the 2014 Corporate Leadership Award at Creating Change. The honor comes as a result of the financial and in-kind support Southwest provided as both the Official Airline of Creating Change and as one of the Task Force’s national corporate partners.
March 11-13 | Out & Equal, Momentum, San Francisco
Southwest Airlines was a sponsor for Momentum, the Annual Out & Equal Leadership Celebration, which celebrates advances in workplace equality and the individuals and organizations who take the lead on fundamental issues of equal rights, both in and out of the workplace.
May 15 – June 30 | San Francisco LGBT Community Center, Pride Month “You Have a Friend at the Center” Fundraising Campaign, San Francisco
Southwest Airlines’ partnership helps the allied community members support the Center’s innovative services and cultural programs. Southwest’s sponsorship also aids the Center’s “You Have a Friend at the Center,” BOLD Awards Ceremony and Reception, and Economic Empowerment Week fundraising efforts, as well as guest speaker and staff development travel, and volunteer appreciations.
July 31 – Aug. 3 | Gay Straight Alliance Network (GSA), National Gathering of GSA Networks,Minneapolis
Southwest is the Official Airline of GSA Network, and will help fly students to the annual conference and assist with fundraising at GSA’s annual “Fabulous by Design” reception, which will take place on Sept. 18, 2014, in San Francisco.
Sept. 13 | Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Fall Gala, San Francisco
Southwest Airlines proudly supports GLAAD’s Fall Gala. This black-tie event will honor and celebrate Bay Area corporate and media leaders who are doing creative, groundbreaking work to advance LGBT equality.
Sept. 18-25 | Chicago Filmmakers, REELING 2014, Chicago
Southwest is the Official Airline of REELING 2014, The 32nd Chicago LGBT International Film Festival. REELING, the second oldest LGBT film festival in the world, returns with another slate of movies that showcase not only diversity within the LGBT community but also diversity in the range of possibilities within film itself.
Oct. 2-4 | Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), the Reaching Out LGBT MBA Conference, San Francisco
As the Official Airline of the Reaching Out LGBT MBA Conference, Southwest Airlines is proud to support ROMBA’s mission to empower LGBT MBA students to become professionals who will lead the way to equality in business education, the workplace, and society.
Nov. 3-6 | Out & Equal, 2014 Out & Equal Workplace Summit, San Francisco
Southwest Airlines is a proud sponsor of the 16th Annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit, a four-day conference that convenes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally professionals from across industries to advance workplace equality.
Nov. 3-8 | Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, It Gets Better Tour, Philadelphia
Southwest is the Official Airline of the It Gets Better tour and will fly artists to and from Philadelphia for the residency week and the show.
December | Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD Tidings, Los Angeles
Southwest Airlines is proud to be the Presenting Partner of this annual event, now in its 16th year, and a staple in the Los Angeles LGBT events calendar, providing crucial year-end fundraising toward GLAAD’s programmatic work.
