Ernst & Young
Kicks Off Pride With Christine Quinn

Ernst & Young hosted a speaker event at its New York City office Tuesday night with New York City council speaker Christine Quinn. The event served as a jump start to Pride Month for Ernst & Young's LGBT Employee Group, bEYond. In attendance was Christine Crespo, the company's LGBTA Inclusiveness Strategy Leader.

"Tonight is what it is all about," said Crespo. "Making connections, networking, and finding out the best way for people to achieve their potential."

The bEYond group is an LGBT network for Ernst & Young employees. The goal is to support an LGBT-receptive environment that acknowledges the value of diversity at Ernst & Young. Since its inception three years ago, the team has been able to include "gender identity/expression" as a covered category within the firm's antidiscrimination policy, earning the company a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index.

Quinn, who is the first woman and openly gay person elected speaker of the New York City council, exclusively told The Advocate what powerful statements organizations like Ernst & Young are making in the fight for equality in corporate America.

"I am very excited to get to talk here tonight," Quinn said. "Occasionally I get to speak at diversity events like this, and I think they're important because I can hear from folks in this community, but they are also important because I hope folks in the community get to hear from me how useful organizations like this are in our overall governmental efforts."

Quinn spoke about her role as a human rights advocate and how Ernst & Young is helping elected officials see the LGBT struggle as a mainstream battle. "Your organization helps us send that message to elected officials," Quinn told audience members. "When they hear that, it takes away the fear supporting our community."

Ernst & Young was recently selected as recipient of HRC's 2008 Community Equality Award at the HRC New York Gala Dinner. Other honors include a mention by DiversityInc magazine as one of the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" in recognition of its commitment to equality in the workplace. (Paul Florez, The Advocate)