Posted on 08/02/2002 4:44:15 AM PDT by kattracks
(CNSnews.com) - As more U.S. corporations seek to create homosexual-friendly workplaces, employees who object to homosexuality on moral grounds are increasingly torn between loyalty to their employer and standing for their beliefs, corporate watchdog groups report.
Indeed, people of traditional religious beliefs may be taking the place of left wing activists as the chief critics of corporate America, according to the watchdog groups.
"I think the main issue lies in a corporate organization trying to force people to believe certain things with mandatory-type seminars and workshops," said an employee with Motorola, a global electronics company.
The employee took issue with Motorola's mandatory "Homophobia in the Workplace" workshops.
"I think that's obviously a violation of numerous principles upon which this nation was founded," said the employee, who requested anonymity.
Calls to Motorola were not returned. However, groups that monitor corporate policies said the homosexual lobby is using mandatory workshops and diversity training programs with considerable success to advance its agenda at American businesses.
"Diversity training is becoming mandatory catechism class for the church of the politically correct," said Jordan Lorence, an attorney and senior vice president for the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative public policy group based in Arizona.
Traditionally, Americans have drawn a distinction between cordial behavior and personal beliefs, Lorence said.
"But what is happening now is that we're seeing a subtle but radical transformation of that traditional norm, and the vehicle in which this change is coming is diversity training by employers, either public or private," he said.
"I don't want to minimize racial tensions or sexual harassment," he added. "Those can be handled by seminars or training to be respectful of people's differences, but not compelling a uniformity of thought."
U.S. businesses are also aggressively marketing to homosexual consumers, who are typically affluent, with a median household income considerably higher than the U.S. average, studies show.
As many as 300 of the Fortune 500 companies include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a national homosexual advocacy group.
The Gay Financial Network recently listed the ten "most powerful and gay friendly public companies in corporate America." They are American Express Co.; Walt Disney Co.; Microsoft Co.; Lucent Technologies Inc.; Xerox; International Business Machines; Hewlett-Packard Co.; Apple Computer Inc.; AMR Corp. and Citigroup Inc.
The companies were ranked on whether they provided diversity training, employee benefits, nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, advertising to the homosexual market and a ban on any negative stereotypes based on sexual orientation, according to the network's website.
The companies report that their diversity training creates good work environments and is good for business.
American Express, a financial services company that employs 84,000 people around the world, has mandatory diversity training, said Molly Faust, a company spokeswoman.
The company also has an in-house training program on sexual orientation as it relates to workplace issues and strategies for creating a more inclusive work environment, she said.
"Overall we are committed to treating every individual with respect and dignity and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment of any kind," Faust said.
The company sponsors 10 employee networks that promote diversity in the workplace. In addition to one for homosexual employees, there are employee networks for African Americans, Asians, Christians, employees over 40 years of age, and others, she said.
The networks, which are open to all employees, enhance the work experience and support the company's business objectives, Faust said.
The company has provided its employees with domestic partner benefits since 1997. In 2000, it extended retiree medical coverage to the domestic partners of its workers. The company also participates in recruiting events during "gay pride" week.
"This is all in our effort to attract and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of individual differences," Faust said.
American Express also has a large philanthropic program that provides grants or sponsors benefits for homosexual organizations.
But family groups are concerned that instead of protecting homosexual employees from discrimination, corporations are yielding to pressure from homosexual employees promoting an activist agenda under the corporate name.
A group of employees from telecommunications giant AT&T recently announced they would help pay the bills of students who identify themselves as homosexual. The scholarship comes from the AT&T Foundation's LEAGUE, or Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay & Transgendered United Employees.
On Friday, telecommunications giant Verizon sponsors Black Pride NYC, a New York organization "strongly committed to uplifting and educating Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities of African descent by providing empowering workshops and seminars."
While researchers say it's difficult to measure America's homosexual population, studies suggest about five percent of U.S. consumers identify themselves as homosexual. These men and women spend between $250 billion and $300 billion annually, much of it on higher end products and services, the studies indicate.
Because there are fewer children in homosexual households, consumers not only have greater discretionary income but also have more discretionary time.
Peter LaBarbera, a senior policy analyst with the Culture and Family Institute, criticized companies that sponsor "gay pride" events, or support the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which he said funds homosexual activism in schools.
"It seems some of them have made a calculation that 'we're going to be a pro-gay company and we don't care what people think,'" LaBarbera said.
Diversity training is becoming standard not only in corporations and government offices, but at many state and private universities as well, Lorence said. Increasingly, incoming freshmen and resident advisors have to complete diversity training.
Many states that license professionals also require the training. Four states - Minnesota, California, Oregon and Arizona - require all licensed attorneys to undergo diversity training, Lorence said.
"The reason given is that there's bias in the legal system that needs to be wiped out," he said.
E-mail a news tip to Lawrence Morahan.
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LOL!
What sort of village idiot would be 'challenged' by that choice?
For starters, having any corporate policy recognizing homosexual behavior as 'sexual orientation' rather than as a disease. If they don't recognize 'sexual orientation' then it's highly likely that they will not support the SAD agenda.
God Save America (Please)
I was actually thinking that long term unpaid leave until the sick individual got cured and could return to work without being a threat to the families of the other workers would be the better choice
GSA(P)
SADs have a history of increased sicknesses as well as additional mental illnesses that they fall prey to. Not to mention the increased risk of workers children being molested at any company gathering where families are present.
Additionally:
Any exposure of children to homosexual behavior is child abuse
GSA(P)
Do you really want to discuss it, or are you just picking a fight with the conservatives?
What if this "choice" is rephrased:
"...employees who object to homosexuality on moral grounds are increasingly torn between concern for job safety and standing for their beliefs..."
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