Diageo Honored By Connecticut Chapter of Lambda Legal for Commitment to LGBT Equality

Recognition Highlights Diageo's Support of LGBT Community and Inclusive Corporate Policies

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Oct 29, 2014, 09:34 ET

NORWALK, Conn., Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, was recognized as a Corporate Ally by the Connecticut chapter of Lambda Legal at the organization's annual Connecticut Cares event for its longtime support of the LGBT community. Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

"We appreciate being recognized by Lambda Legal – it is wonderful to be viewed as an ally for equality," said Eliana Zem, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Diageo North America. "Inclusion is a very important corporate value at Diageo and we are grateful for the recognition and even more grateful for the continuing support from the LGBT community and our LGBT employees."

Supporting the LGBT community through non-profit organizations like Lambda Legal is at the core of the company's commitment to fostering an inclusive culture. Ketel One vodka is a national sponsor of GLAAD and, with Beaulieu Vineyards wine, of the Human Rights Campaign. Diageo employees consistently donate Bulleit, Crown Royal, Captain Morgan, Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Sterling Wine, Guinness, Tanqueray and other brands to support a variety of community organizations. In addition to Lambda Legal, these organizations include Immigration Equality, Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, Norwalk's Triangle Community Center, Out & Equal, The Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, GLSEN and Gay Men's Chorus. Furthermore, the Company has a rich history of supporting equal rights of all people including signing onto the US Supreme Court amicus brief challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA), which was successfully repealed.

"We are excited to continue to partner with and honor companies like Diageo who truly are Corporate Allies," said John Stafstrom, Event Co-Chair and Board Member, Lambda Legal. "Diageo goes the extra mile in creating a culture of success and inclusion for all employees, while giving back to the communities in which they operate."

Diageo's industry-leading employee policies and practices include non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. Diageo also has seven employee resource groups (ERGs) that are all inclusive and are a resource to the company for recruitment, retention, employee engagement, innovation and community partnerships. They represent ethnicity, gender, LGBT, Sustainability and Career Development. Diageo's Rainbow Network was one of the first ERGs at the company and remains one of its most active.

In addition to being named one of Lambda Legal's Corporate Allies, Diageo has received multiple accolades celebrating the Company's culture of inclusion, securing spots for the past six years on both the Human Rights Campaign's "Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality" list and Working Mother's "100 Best Companies For Working Mothers" list.

For more information about Diageo's commitment to inclusion please visit http://www.diageo.com.

For more information about Lambda Legal and the CT Cares auction please visit http://www.lambdalegal.org/ctcares.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan's, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

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SOURCE Diageo