Angle (The Aetna Network of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Employees)

At the request of Aetna's corporate Office of Diversity in Hartford, Connecticut, a small group of Connecticut employees organized Angle in 1993, with formal company recognition at the end of that year. The number of members grew rapidly, and in 2001 includes about 300 employees in over 45 locations around the country. Angle is one of four currently recognized employee diversity networks, the others being AsiaNet, the Hispanic Employee Network, and the African American Employee Network.

Angle was one of the first corporate recognized and supported employee groups in Connecticut. The group received extensive publicity, both locally as well as internationally in 1994 and 1995. Members were among the very first corporate groups to march in the Hartford Pride Parade, starting in 1994. While the group has done some sponsorship and participated in community events, most of its efforts are directed toward Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) issues in the workplace.

Over the ensuing years Angle has engaged in activities such as:

• A series of conversations with senior management
• Numerous collaborative business initiatives relating to recruiting and retention
• A conference held for Human Resource professionals
• Collaborative events with Aetna's other diversity networks
• Participation in Out and Equal Leadership Summit 2000, by members around the country.

Between 1994 and 1997 Angle participated in a major company project that resulted in Domestic Partner benefits being offered to same sex partners in 1998 (with opposite sex partners added in 2001).

Angle's current mission is to contribute to Aetna's business and diversity strategies by providing networking support to members and resources to the corporation. Objectives are:

• To provide educational opportunities to all employees to increase understanding of the GLBT community, thereby fostering a safe and supportive environment which enhances recruitment and retention
• To be a resource to each other and the corporation and promote the mentoring and professional development of our members
• To promote GLBT inclusion in corporate policy and communications
• To support the company's initiatives in emerging markets and in health care issues specific to the GLBT community

In 2001, the office of diversity approved a name change for the group. While the name remains the same, it will no no longer be written in all capital letters, because the name is no longer an acronym. The new name of the group is The Aetna Network of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Employees.

Angle Collection:

Early Beginnings, 1992,     1 folder

Formation of ANGLE, 1993 - 1994,     2 folders

Minutes of Meetings, 1993 - 1998,     6 folders

ANGLE/AIDS, 1994,     1 folder

ANGLE/Benanav,     1 folder

ANGLE Budget, 1994,     1 folder

ANGLE College Reach Out UConn., 1995,     1 folder

ANGLE Coordinating Committee Agendas, 1994 - 1996, 1998,     6 folders

External Communications, 1993 - 1994,     1 folder

Aetna Corporate announcements, etc. 1992 - 1993,     1 folder

"Aetnasphere" article and reactions, 1994,     1 folder

"Aetnasphere," July 12, 1993 - Mar./Apr. 1997,     1 folder

ANGLE Corporate Information Center Resource List, 1994 -     1 folder

ANGLE Logo (drafts),     1 folder

ANGLE Newsletter, May 16, 1994 - Jan. 1997,     2 folders

ANGLE Posters/Flyers (copies)     1 folder

ANGLE Retreat, Dec. 4, 1994     1 folder

ANGLE Weekly Bulletins, 1994 - 1999, (copies of emails)    6 folders

ANGLE Workplace Diversity Liaison, Jan. - June, June - Dec., 1994, 1995,     2 folders

Brochure, Who We Are Document,     1 folder

Corporate Public Involvement Priority Review, 1995     1 folder

Domestic Partnership Benefits, 1994, 1995, 1996 - 1999,     3 folders

Domestic Partnership Benefits (Research Materials)

Emerging Markets Initiatives, 1995,     1 folder

General Field Activities, 1999,     1 folders

Pride Activities and Events:

• ANGLE Pride, 1994,     1 folder
• ANGLE Pride, 1995,
  • Great Gays, biographies,     1 folder
  • Turnabout, movie,     1 folder
  • Flyers/Metroline Ad.,     1 folder
  • Planning & Budget,     1 folder

General Activities, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,     7 folders

Good Word, 1993 - 1997, (Newsletter, Hartford, Middletown, and Windsor offices),     1 folder

Hartford Courant Articles, 1993 - 1997,     1 folder

Miscellaneous     1 folder

Senior Management, Dialogues and Forums, 1994,     1 folder

Workforce Diversity, 1993,     1 folder

Workforce Diversity/Compton Presentations, 1995,     1 folder

Videos

Diversity Dialogues. Host Walter L. Marcus with four Aetna employees who discuss the history of ANGLE and how it has affected their profession and their lives, 1994     (two half hour programs)

World AIDS Day Remembrance (Aetna Remembers), Dec. 1, 1993, 30 minute program

Visual Media

Banner, 3'10" x 6'9", Black cloth with glued on letters, "ANGLE Aetna Network of Gay and Lesbian Employees," Carried in Hartford's Pride Parade, New York City Pride Parade, and the March on Washington

Posters: All posters come in two sizes, 8.5" x 11" and 11" x 17" unless noted

• Turnabout (Film), June 13 - 14, 1995 (8.5" x 11" only)
• Diversity Dialogues, June 15, 1995
• Kick-Off to Pride, June 7, 1995
• Hartford Pride Parade, June 17, 1995
• Cabaret, June 15, 1995

Trophies

• LifeWalk Sept. 28, 1991, Team Trophy
• LifeWalk Oct. 4, 1992, Corporate and Business Team Winner
• LifeWalk, 1993, Top Team: Corporate
• AIDS Project Hartford, 1994, Top Corporate Team
• LifeWalk, 1995, Top Corporate Team