As AT&T and T-Mobile continue negotiations over their proposed merger, a $39 billion acquisition, a debate has erupted over how entrenched corporations will support marginalized groups, such as LGBT, low income, or ethnic groups, as the two communication groups join heads.
The tension over the proposed merger has already prompted the resignation of Jarrett Barrios, CEO of GLADD, one of the nation’s most prominent gay rights groups.
Barrios’ resignation came in wake of external criticism over diluted support of the acquisition. An exchange of idling information between GLAAD and AT&T has illuminated the possibility that GLAAD may have presumably supported the acquisition by means of financial exchange or gain.
In an email date June 18, addressed to the GLAAD board of directors, Barrios made his reasons for resignation clear: “GLAAD has supported this [AT&T/T-Mobile] merger because of our relationship with them as a corporate sponsor. As many of you have observed to me, this entire situation is wrought with miscommunication and assumptions. Be that as it may, I respect the function and responsibility of my position, and know this is the right course of action.”
While Barrios’ has not issued a formal statement regarding his resignation from GLADD, a spokesperson for the organization noted that Barrios’ would be assisting the organization to transition his successor into his or her new role – but more surprisingly, the organization also announced the resignation six other board members.
As the fallout continues, AT&T and GLAAD are handling the issue with kid gloves as waves of controversy continue to make unwanted headlines for both organizations.
Mark Siegel, Executive Director-Media Relations at AT&T, did acknowledge that although the company sought support for the T-Mobile merger from GLAAD, including other LGBT organizations, their overall efforts have concentrated on “the massive mobile broadband build-out” alongside the company’s longstanding allegiance to the LGBT community including support for its LGBT employees.
Siegel further explained that while AT&T has received high marks from the Human Rights Campaign, other LGBT organizations should ultimately “make up their own minds” on whether or not they ought to support the AT&T/T-Mobile merger.
Meanwhile, other LGBT groups have gathered in response to the conflicting merger with independent support of AT&T. Pride at Work, an LGBT labor and ally organization, announced they would sponsor a press call to be held today in response to the merger. Pride at Work will aim to discuss the controversy surrounding the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, but more importantly, the organization will discuss how the merger may impact LGBT employees of both organizations, including those who will transition from T-Mobile to AT&T, one of the world’s largest telecom companies.
“Too often, the voices of working people and jobless workers within the LGBT community – particularly women, people of color and transgender workers – get lost in public messaging around what the “gay community” wants,” said Peggy Shorey, Executive Director, Pride at Work.
“We applaud the organizations that have endorsed the merger for standing up for regular working people and jobless workers in the LGBT community,” said Shorey. ”This isn’t a case of ‘follow the money,’ it’s a case of ‘look at the record.’ AT&T simply has the best record among wireless carriers on issues important to the LGBT community,” she concluded.
