The Berkeley Lab Lambda Alliance hosted its first LGBTQ Pride Networking Event on Thursday, June 23rd in Wang Hall. The catered event drew approx. 50 scientists, engineers, and employees from the Lab Directorate and Operations. Click here to view the photos.
Lab Director Mike Witherell provided a welcome message, along with Associate Lab Director Jay Keasling, Lambda Alliance’s Executive Sponsor. The event was also the launch of Berkeley Lab’s Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines for transgender employees, which is considered a best practice among major companies. The guidelines were created by the Lambda Alliance’s Employee Resource Group (ERG), which aims to enhance policies and procedures at the Lab.
“Events like the Lambda Alliance LGBTQ Networking Event are so important to building community at work” said ERG co-chair Susan Synarski. “Celebrating Pride includes celebrating the support and camaraderie of our friends and colleagues. We all have a stake in inclusiveness.”
Lambda Alliance co-chairs Tom Gallant and Amanda Krieger introduced the organization, shared a few events organized for Pride Month, and invited guests to become members. Additionally, guests participated in a “BINGO” icebreaker activity, where they had a chance to network with employees from multiple disciplines and backgrounds. Winners of the BINGO game received Peet’s Coffee gift cards.
The charter of the Lambda Alliance is to enhance the work environment at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning employees and allies. Its goal is to promote an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, enhance policies of non-discrimination, create guidance for institutional processes, identify and address emerging issues or challenges, increase visibility and awareness, and recognize achievements impacting our community. If you are interested in joining the Lambda Alliance, please email Tom Gallant at tggallant@lbl.gov. To join the ERG, please contact Lady Idos at lvidos@lbl.gov.
