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Why I Belong to GSA...
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My name is Valerie Patriquin. My reasons
for participation are simple while my belief in its importance is
great. I feel most discrimination is born out of lack of
experience with a given minority community. That said, the
discriminations/stereotypes that one is taught can only stand in
place until WE, those in that minority community, reach out to
others to give them a positive experience which will allow them to
step outside any fears they may have been taught. I believe it is
via this outreach of positive experience to our Valley at large that
we will create an environment that nurtures diversity.
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My name
is Jay Taylor. I serve as the Fleet Director for the Fleet
Services in Public Works. I'm glad to be a part of Tempe's
Gay/Straight Alliance for several reasons. The best part of my 21
year experience as an employee of the City of Tempe has been my
acceptance as a peer and as a coworker by employees at all levels in the
organization. I feel as though I have been valued for what I do
and how I can contribute to the City work effort. My hope is that
all City employees have the same experience and will be accepted in that
way by their respective workgroups and the organization as a whole.
My duty is to work diligently to help make that positive experience a
reality for all of my peers; regardless of race, ethnicity, personal
beliefs, religious preference, and/or sexual orientation. These
considerations are practical as well as philosophical. Tempe can
(and does) attract the best and brightest from the private sector
because of the opportunities, acceptance, and inclusiveness embodied in
our Mission and Values. This organization is a positive example
for other entities; public and private, to the extent to which we live
up to our stated values in everyday experience in the workplace, and how
we accept and respect each other at all times. I belong to the
Tempe GSA in order to stand with all of our brothers and sisters in the
City of Tempe to help make this a healthy work environment for all
employees. |
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My name
is Brandon Banks. I am a part of the Tempe City Gay/Straight
Alliance for many reasons. Perhaps the greatest reason is due to
the progressive spirit in which the people of our great City lead.
Whether they be stay-at-home moms, CEO's of major corporations, or
elected officials, they share an over-arching desire to make Tempe a
place that is welcoming to all people. Their focus has been in the
past, and continues to be so today, on the things that unite us as
citizens rather than the things that divide us as individuals.
Being a member of one of only a handful of city-sponsored GSA's is
my way of contributing to the continuation of that same spirit and
doing my part to ensure that a philosophy of inclusion remains
paramount."
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