Turner’s Pride Alliance meets with City Commissioner Patty Sheehan

The group had a chance to share their story – and Turner's – and talk about expanding their engagement in the community. 



“Commissioner Sheehan was aware of Turner before our meeting with her because we’ve led some high-profile projects for the City -- including most recently the renovation of Camping World Stadium -- but she was not aware of our Pride Alliance," said Mimi Flatley, a business development engineer, who helped arrange the meeting. "Our goal was to share with her information on our group, and also to ask for her thoughts on new ways to engage in the community."  



Elected in 2000, Sheehan is the City’s first openly gay commissioner. "She's a respected voice standing up for issues that affect the LGBTQ community and she introduced us to a number of great organizations, including Come Out With Pride, the Zebra Coalition, and others," she added. 



The Commissioner was also enthusiastic – read: surprised and impressed – to learn about Turner's participation in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, and about the company's score of 100/100. "She practically fell out of her chair!" Mimi said. "But she also reminded us we are lucky to work for a company that stands up for equality, and encouraged us in very strong terms to get involved with the causes we care about. Especially with Turner's support." 



Reflecting on her own involvement with the Pride Alliance, Mimi remembered that a few months ago, when she had only just begun working at Turner, she attended a lunch and learn to discuss the group's agenda. "Dan LaMorte, our general manager, began the meeting by saying this (and it still gives me goose bumps): 'Everyone should feel safe coming to work, and no one should be judged by who they love.' And that's really it." She said. "We're thinking of this as just the first of many opportunities to grow the Turner Pride group and culture, and a great opportunity to connect with a public official who shares our goals."