Port of Oakland Hosts California Association of Port Authorities Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Diversity Group

Meeting Focused on Awareness and Inclusion of Issues Affecting LGBT Employees

Oakland, CA – March 14, 2014 – Today the Port of Oakland hosted the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Diversity Group in order to promote greater awareness and discuss inclusion of issues affecting LGBT employees within California’s ports.

“We are thrilled to be able to showcase our growing airport and import/export activities to Port officials from throughout the State, said Port of Oakland Commissioner Michael Colbruno. “We will also be discussing the important issue of people being able to be out in the workplace. I am grateful that we have the full support of Executive Director Chris Lytle and Port Commission President Ces Butner on this important issue.”

In July 2013, the CAPA Advisory Group in Sacramento, California voted unanimously to recognize the LGBT Port community as an official CAPA affinity group as part of its goal of being a diverse and inclusive organization. The first meeting of LGBT port officials took place in September 2013 in San Francisco and included 30 representatives from eleven California ports.

The Oakland meeting is the third meeting of the CAPA LGBT Diversity Group and focuses on identifying common interests among seaports as well as issues faced by LGBT employees within the respective organizations. In addition, the members are mapping out a formal structure for the Group and strategies for greater inclusion and participation.

“In keeping with our commitment to promoting a diverse workplace, the Port of Oakland is honored to host the CAPA LGBT Diversity Group,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle. “We are excited about the enthusiastic support and participation of California’s eleven publicly-owned commercial seaports in promoting greater LGBT awareness and inclusion.”

Since 2006, the Port of Oakland has had an employee Gay-Straight Alliance and in 2007 Port employees marched for the first time in the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade.

About the California Association of Port Authorities
The California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) is comprised of the state’s eleven publicly-owned, commercial ports and is dedicated to maintaining a vigorous and vital port industry in California. The Association, which has been in existence since 1940, is committed to promoting the interests of California’s ports, maintaining the state’s leading role in the maritime industry, and leading the way in innovative and cutting edge environmentally-friendly port operations. Web site: http://californiaports.org/.

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport and Oakland International Airport. The Port’s jurisdiction includes 20 miles of waterfront from the Bay Bridge through Oakland International Airport. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.