Interior GLOBE - Meeting Notes 3/10/99

Interior GLOBE
Meeting Notes

March 10, 1999

Dine for Life

Bob announced that Thursday, March 11, is "Dine Out for Life" day, benefiting Food & Friends. Interested persons should see The Blade for further information.

Matthew Shepard Memorial

Jay has had email correspondence with Krystal, and she is looking into whether or not the Wyoming site where Matthew Shepard was murdered is BLM land. so far, it appears unlikely that the land is BLM land, however, Krystal will update Jay on this.

Stonewall Inn

Things are going pretty well with getting Stonewall designated for the National Historic Register. There have been lots of letters of support. The New York State Historic Preservation Review Board meets on Friday and will vote on Stonewall. After that, the recommendation has to go to the National Registry of Historic Places of the National Park Service (NPS) in Washington.

Interior Gay Pride Week Event

Andy announced that the OSM EEO Office is seeking suggestions for Gay Pride Week (5-13 June). Possible suggestions: Tammy Baldwin, Barny Frank or Jim Kolby. Jay will report to the OSM EEO officer with suggestions.
Steve talked about the NPS Federal Women’s Program. A group called Wings was the sponsor.
It was noted that OSM will be sponsoring Gay Pride Week events.

Sexual Orientation Sensitivity Training / EEO Counseling

Jim discussed Sexual Orientation Sensitivity Training.
Melodee Stith wonders if gay people will be comfortable going to any EEO counselor, or would gays want to see a gay counselor. She wonders how we will get a core group of people to serve as gay counselors. Andy noted that not many are "out," so there might be a problem finding people.
It was noted that Region 3 of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has a Sexual Orientation Program Manager. Jim suggested that it might be a good idea to encourage this elsewhere.
There was a lengthy discussion of the DOI Diversity and GLOBE’s representation to it. Jim indicated that a problem with the Diversity Council is that it is "all affirmative action and nothing else." It is supposed to be the eyes and ears of the Department for diversity issues. The DOI Strategic Plan for Diversity only addresses Gay and Lesbian in the introduction. The Diversity Council meets in Washington on May 17-21, 1999. GLOBE members are encouraged to attend.
Melodee is getting notes to all Bureaus asking for a report on what they are doing to disseminate the new DOI sexual orientation discrimination/harassment procedures. Melodee should have feedback from the Bureaus on this by the end of March, and will keep us advised. Jim will talk with Melodee about distributing brochures on Sexual Orientation and EEO procedures. A general discussion followed on the lack of progress so far, related to publicizing EEO sexual orientation policies.

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