Lez Keep It Real

First off, whoever came up with the Outie name was, shall I say, trying to hard? And second, what the heck is an Outie anyway? The only outie I know of is the kind of belly button that sticks out and looks rather awkward. This kind of Outie, though, is the kind that can be taken home and set up for all to view in an enclosed glass case next to the softball player of the year award and the most fabulous queen of the century plaque.

From Gaybiz.com -

San Francisco-based Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the foremost national nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to promoting workplace equality for LGBT employees, announced today the finalists for the annual Out & Equal Workplace Awards (commonly known as “The Outies”). From the impressive list of finalists, the winners of the 2007 Out & Equal Workplace Awards will be announced at a Gala Awards Dinner on Sept. 28 at the Hilton Washington in Washington D.C., during the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit.

Each year since 2000, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates has recognized individuals and organizations in five categories for their contributions in advancing work environments where all people are treated equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Past award winners have included many respected corporate leaders and several of the most admired and successful businesses on the planet.

“This year’s Out & Equal Workplace Award finalists represent the best of the best,” Selisse Berry, executive director of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, said in a release. “Even though we can only recognize a few of these people and organizations, I really want to personally thank all the finalists for their efforts and their commitment. They are all heroes and worthy of our gratitude.”

See who the 2007 Out & Equal Workplace Award finalists are.

All kidding aside, these awards are actually a pretty cool thing. Tolerance in the work place is a necessity, especially for those individuals still struggling to come out of the closet at their place of employment.

Honoring an employer who has made significant strides in the acceptance and advancment of homosexual employees will only incite other companies to follow suit. Isn’t diversity a wonderful thing?

diversity, coming out on the job, 2007 outies, out and equal workplace award, out and equal workplace advocates, selisse berry