Progress Made
the Gay/Straight Student Alliance (GSSA),
the following progress has been made.
UAB Adds "Gender Identity or Gender Expression" and "Discriminatory Harassment" to its Equal Opportunity Policy.
A collaborative effort between members of The Alliance, members of the Gay/Straight Student Alliance (GSSA) at UAB, and UAB administrators, has resulted in a newly revised "Equal Opportunity and Discriminatory Harassment Policy." This policy includes protections for "gender identity or gender expression" and prohibits discriminatory harassment.
Equity in Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits for UAHSF, UAB Health System, and Eye Foundation Employees
It was announced that effective January 1, 2011, the above benefits would be made available for individuals who qualify as "Sponsored Adult Dependents" or "Sponsored Child Dependents" of the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, UAB Health System, and the Eye Foundation employees.
Establishment of a Scholarship
UAB formally approved The Alliance's establishing a scholarship for UAB students who have demonstrated leadership within the LGBT community. The Alliance awarded its first scholarship for the 2011/2012 academic year and is currently accepting applications for the coming year. Contributions to this scholarship are tax-deductible and may be made via payroll deduction. See Scholarship.html for further information.
Equity in Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits for UAB Employees
UAB announced that effective January 1, 2010, they would make the above benefits available for individuals who qualify as "Sponsored Adult Dependents" or "Sponsored Child Dependents" of UAB employees.
Details can be found in the following newsletter from Human Resources: http://www.hrm.uab.edu/main/benefits/oe2009/2010%20Newsletter-final.pdf
Inclusion of "Sexual Orientation" in
UAB's Equal Opportunity Policies
When President Carol Z. Garrison states that "Diversity is a Core Value at UAB," the sentiment is clearly heartfelt. Recognizing this fact, an ad-hoc committee of the UAB community organized itself to prevail upon her to add protections for "sexual orientation" to UAB's Equal Employment Opportunity and Equal Educational Opportunity Policies.
This change was made effective May 27, 2004. Thereupon, the committee requesting this change formally organized itself into The Alliance for LGBT Equality at UAB.