Port of Oakland receives leadership award for LGBTQ diversity

East Bay Stonewall Democrats says Port creates safe place

Oakland, CA - August 17, 2015: The Port of Oakland has been selected by the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club to receive its 2015 Corporate Leader Award. The award is given to organizations that demonstrate a commitment to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer diversity in the workplace.

“We were particularly impressed by the Port of Oakland’s efforts to form an LGBTQ group of statewide port officials and make port culture a safe place for LGBTQ people,” said Brendalynn Goodall, president of the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club.

The ports of Oakland, San Francisco, and San Diego formed an LGBT Affinity Group within the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) in 2013. CAPA is comprised of the state’s 11 publicly-owned, commercial ports and is dedicated to maintaining a vigorous and vital port industry in California. The LGBT Affinity Group aims to increase inclusion within the workplace and provide training to educate port workers about LGBT issues.

“We want maritime industry employees to feel empowered to bring their full authentic selves into the workplace,” said Port of Oakland 2nd Vice President Michael Colbruno. “After our initial meetings, we identified many LGBT workers do not feel safe in their workplace.” Commissioner Colbruno was one of the founding members of the CAPA LGBT Affinity Group.

Port representatives will receive the award at the Oakland Pride Breakfast which will be held at the California Nurses Association September 13. The East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club is the longest serving LGBTQ advocacy organization in the East Bay.