Date posted: 06/30/2006*

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights organization, has recognized Raytheon for its award-winning workplace policies regarding equal treatment for all employees, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The recognition took place June 29, 2006, during a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington. Hayward Bell, Raytheon’s chief diversity officer, and Louise Young, a senior software engineer for Network Centric Systems and the president and founder of Raytheon’s Global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies employee resource group, participated as featured speakers.

Bell told the audience of media, political and corporate representatives: “As one of the nation’s aerospace and defense giants, Raytheon Company pays keen attention to ensuring an enriching and safe workplace for our employees. Having policies that give equal treatment to all employees, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, gives our workers the environment they need to focus on their jobs, without worrying about taking care of their families or facing harassment on the job.”

Young spoke about her experiences as a 28-year employee of Raytheon and Texas Instruments. In 1975, she lost her job as a teacher at a small state college in Oklahoma solely because of her sexual orientation.

“In years past, there were no political entities and few major corporations that offered protection in employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” Young said. “It was a labor of love to have played a role in securing this important protection at Raytheon by being a partner and an information resource for our Raytheon human resources and diversity decision makers. I am so proud of my company. We have policies in place to ensure that no lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employee can suffer discrimination for who they are.”

Last year, Raytheon became the first aerospace and defense company (and one of only about 100 companies nationwide) to achieve 100 percent on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index, which is a tool to rate American businesses on how they are treating GLBT employees, consumers and investors. Raytheon led all its competitors.

"Fair policies and equal treatment for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and consumers is not just the right thing to do — it’s smart business," said Bell.

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