June 7, 2000

MEMORANDUM FOR	ALL DOL METROPOLITAN AREA EMPLOYEES
FROM:	PATRICIA W. LATTIMORE
	Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management
SUBJECT:	Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Awareness Month

Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Awareness Month is annually observed in June. The Department of Labor (DOL) continually strives to be a model employer by ensuring that it adheres to the principles of inclusiveness, fairness, and the participation of all employees in all facets of the organization. We value the efforts of all employees who contribute to the mission of the Department, including those who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

The Department is committed to attracting, developing, valuing, and maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of our nation's citizenry. To accomplish this, barriers must be removed including negative attitudes and perceptions. By providing our workforce with opportunities to be informed and educated about our similarities and our differences, we can address such barriers.

Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Employees of DOL (Labor-GLOBE) is sponsoring a panel discussion on Wednesday, June 28, 2000, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. in Seminar Room 4, Room C5521. The event will feature a dialogue with Tali Stepp, Director of Human Resources, and Annabelle Lockhart, Director of Civil Rights, who will briefly explain the responsibilities of their respective offices and how the work they do contributes to improve the quality of worklife for all DOL employees. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session. In addition to the panel discussion, there will be a display in the lobby of the Postal Square Building, during the month of June, highlighting the progression made in the Federal service from discrimination of gays and lesbians to the development of legal protections for gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees.

I encourage your support and invite each of you to attend the panel discussion and view the display. Supporting these programs helps to engender respect for the differences employees bring to the workplace and promote awareness of the concept of inclusiveness.

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