AT&T Recognized for Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Professionals in its Workforce

Dallas, Texas, ---

The inclusive AT&T workforce is being recognized by two national and state organizations. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) honored AT&T with the “Corporate Leader Award” at the GLAAD Media Awards, while Garden State Equality, a LGBT civil rights organization in New Jersey, named AT&T an “Equality Company of the Year 2011.”

At the event, GLAAD recognized AT&T’s LGBT-inclusive policies, including protection against discrimination, providing enhanced healthcare benefits access for legally recognized partners and transgender employees, providing enhanced retirement plan options to recognize legally recognized partners as qualified survivors, and family and medical leave for gay and lesbian employees. These items extend to all employees in formalized relationships, such as registered domestic partnerships, civil unions and same-sex marriages.

“With internal policies that make it easier for all employees to take care of their loved ones and ground-breaking external marketing campaigns, AT&T continues to raise the bar for inclusion,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “AT&T’s steadfast support for a range of education and advocacy organizations remains critical as we move closer towards equality.

Garden State Equality will recognize AT&T’s diversity practices during its Legends 2011 ceremony on June 24.

“Honoring AT&T is one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever made, for very few companies in the world rival AT&T for its commitment to diversity, equality and opportunity for all,” said Stephen Goldstein, chair and CEO, Garden State Equality. “As we researched more than 5,600 companies in considering whom to honor this year, AT&T immediately rose to the top echelon in every single category. What a thrill to be honoring a company that is a true national and international leader in diversity and fairness.”

“We are both honored and encouraged by GLAAD’s and Garden State Equality’s recognition of AT&T’s determined efforts to foster an inclusive workplace where employees can reach their full potential regardless of background, orientation or beliefs,” said Cindy Brinkley, senior vice president, talent development and chief diversity officer.

GLAAD also recognized the role of LEAGUE at AT&T, the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Allies Employee Organization at AT&T. Founded in 1987, it is the oldest LBGT employee resource group in the United States. Its members have supported such important projects as AT&T Aspire, and since 1996 have donated over $145,000 in scholarships to college-bound LGBT students. Partnering with the AT&T Foundation, LEAGUE at AT&T has also provided GED Attainment scholarships to help address the rising LGBT high school drop-out rate.

GLAAD’s award also recognizes AT&T’s support in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In the mid 1980s AT&T became one of the first major U.S. corporations to help tackle the epidemic by making an unprecedented change to include HIV/AIDS in its strict non-disease-specific charitable guidelines. This bold move helped break the stigma then associated with the disease, thus paving the way for countless other corporations to follow suit. AT&T donations and thousands of employee volunteer hours have been invested in raising awareness.

AT&T is a supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, Victory Fund, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), The POINT Foundation and Lambda Legal. Since 1998, AT&T has been a proud sponsor of GLAAD and supported various grants including GLAAD’s Fellows Program, which trains and prepares young adults for future professional success by providing hands-on experience working with GLAAD staff and other media professionals.

To explore career opportunities at AT&T visit http://www.att.jobs/.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, visit www.glaad.org.

About Garden State Equality
Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s statewide organization for LGBT equality, is also the state’s largest civil rights organization of any kind. Since Garden State Equality’s founding in 2004, New Jersey has enacted 212 LGBT civil rights laws at the state, county and local levels. That represents more LGBT civil rights laws enacted in less time than in any other state in American history. And with a documentary about Garden State Equality’s work winning an Oscar in 2008, Garden State Equality is the only statewide civil rights organization in American history to have been the subject of an Academy Award®-winning film.