The Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Awards last month celebrated the accomplishments of local individuals and businesses in advancing LGBT opportunities and advocacy in our community. Nashville-based global tech care company Asurion was the recipient of the Corporate Ally Award for its progressive diversity and inclusion policies, employee engagement programs, community outreach, and their involvement in the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. It’s amazing how much Asurion has accomplished in just the two years since they established their Pride Employee Resource Group and joined the Chamber.
Every day Asurion’s 19,000 experts help nearly 300 million people around the world solve the most common and uncommon tech issues. Helping you stay connected and get the most from the tech you love is Asurion’s top priority, and Asurion leaders have always known that their talented and enthusiastic employees are critical to the superior customer service they provide. So, the company continually seeks to ensure work-life balance, offer education and promotion opportunities, and foster high morale among its employees. In fact, Asurion has been certified as A Great Place to Work® for the last two consecutive years and named by the Tennessean as a Top Workplace in the Nashville area for the past four years.
While Asurion leadership has always valued diversity in its ranks, it’s a challenge to discover and address what’s needed to foster that diversity. This is where employee resource groups (ERGs) can be so influential in large corporations, such as Asurion. ERGs are meant to serve as the voice of different demographics that can bring ideas and concerns to leadership.
Asurion employees at Pride
Asurion employee Kimberly Stephan-Tate played an integral role in securing executive support for their Pride Employee Resource Group to support LGBT employees and their allies in 2017. Stephan-Tate had come to Asurion from Dell, which also has a very active Pride ERG. So, she knew the positive impact such groups can have in advocating for inclusive policies.
Stephan-Tate and the other members of the Pride ERG knew that if they were to have a positive impact for their LGBT employees and allies, they would first need to thoroughly evaluate a wide range of corporate policies and training programs before recommending improvements. A core committee of 7-10 people within Asurion’s Pride ERG, working throughout the organization, conducted a 16-month long self-assessment against the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI).
Asurion leadership was immediately receptive to their findings and pledged resources to improve their policies and practices on a variety of issues. In just two short years, Asurion has implemented a wide range of policy changes and training programs, including, but not limited to:
- Adding gender expression, gender identity and sexual orientation in its Equal Opportunity Employment Commission statement;
- Releasing a gender transition guide for its leaders, human resources team and employees to ensure a successful transition at work;
- Creating and hosting education sessions for employees, which teach inclusive language and help employees navigate scenarios that could pop up at work;
- Updating the donation policy of its non-profit arm, Compassion Forward, against donating philanthropic dollars to anti-LGBTQ organizations.
Earlier this year Asurion received a perfect score of 100 on HRC’s 2019 Corporate Equality Index, acknowledging the amazing strides they’ve made in providing the best possible work environment for their LGBT employees and allies.
According to HRC President Chad Griffin, “The top-scoring companies on this year’s CEI are not only establishing policies that affirm and include employees here in the United States, they are applying these policies to the company’s global operations and impacting millions of people beyond our shores… Time and again, leading American businesses have shown that protecting their employees and customers from discrimination isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also good for business.”
Nikki Smith-Bartley, Asurion Vice President and Special Counsel for Diversity and Inclusion, echoes the above sentiment, saying, “We strive to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive environment where all our employees and their perspectives are valued, and where our employees have a sense of belonging. We seek out the best teammates and strive to bring out their full potential through empowerment, diversity and everyday leadership that is driven by humility, open feedback, active coaching and courage.”
Providing these protections and advocacy is good for business because it ensures that companies are attracting the best talent and motivating their employees to give their best every day. Asurion LGBT employees and allies have responded enthusiastically to the culture of diversity Asurion fosters. Meredith Fortney, an Asurion employee who is active in the company’s Pride ERG and serves as Chair of the HRC Board of Governors says, "I came to work here because I knew diversity and inclusion was important. I liked that Asurion focused on creating a safe space for everyone, and it fills me with so much pride. It’s why I’m excited to come to work every day."
Asurion and its Pride ERG have also provided numerous opportunities for their LGBT employees and allies to connect with one another, show their pride, and come together to provide services to local charities and organizations serving our community. In 2017 Asurion participated only in the Nashville Pride Festival. This year, they will participate in six Pride festivals throughout the US, as well as in the Philippines. Last year Asurion flew the Pride flag above its global headquarters in Nashville for a week in June. This year, Asurion will fly the Pride flag for the entire month of June.
Asurion CEO Tony Detter says, “Asurion is committed to fostering an environment where our employees across the globe feel safe and supported in their different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. To continue to drive innovation, engage our diverse teams, and provide the best customer experience possible on behalf of our partners, we have made a commitment to each other, and now the public to do all we can to drive a culture of inclusion. I’m thrilled at how open our leaders have been to making real change, and how excited and trusting our employees have been as we’ve tackled sensitive issues to drive progress.”
Stephan-Tate sums up the impact of Asurion’s inclusive, diverse work environment well when she says, “I feel I can be my whole self here. I'm not afraid of letting people know that I'm married to a woman, and this is part of who I am. When you can come to work worry-free like I can, it's a weight off your shoulders. I can't tell you how proud I am to see Asurion's advocacy and how far we've come be recognized by the HRC," Stephan-Tate said. “I'm not going to lie, I might've teared up a little when I heard the news!"
Want to make Asurion your next Great Place to Work? Asurion has over 19,000 employees in 48 locations around the world, with our global headquarters in Nashville, TN.Click here for career opportunities!
Click here for more LGBT Chamber Focus articles!
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.