Interviews

LNAK exhibit audio · Interview of Chuck Collins, David Kosel, and Kathryn Rivers

Chuck Collins, David Kosel, and Kathryn Rivers reminisce recall the formation of the Lambda Network, some of its key accomplishments, the nuances of LGBTQ acceptance inside and outside Kodak, and workplace activism.

LNAK exhibit audio · Chuck Collins relates the network's success to Kodak's marketing goals

Around the time of the Lambda Network at Kodak, diversity and inclusion were often justified in two parts: the right things to do and good for the bottom line. Although LGBTQ activism existed over half a century before it moved into corporate America, encoding LGBTQ acceptance in the language of profit entailed rapid change in policy, employment practices, and marketing as companies tried to remain competitive.

LNAK exhibit audio · Chuck Collins recalls some nuances of how he was treated

Although he was protected from discrimination at Kodak, those protections didn't exist outside work.

LNAK exhibit audio · David Kosel recalls a time when HR invoked the Lambda Network

The Lambda Network helped educate Human Resources and eventually created a Lambda-HR Partnership Team.

LNAK exhibit audio · David Kosel recalls an example of Kodak’s anti-union disposition

As a traditional anti-union company of its scale, Kodak was sensitive to any talk of unionization, and this anecdote highlights a disconnect that existed between the language of Kodak and the language of the LGBTQ community.

LNAK exhibit audio · David Kosel recalls the excitement following LNAK’s formation

At Kodak, and many companies, LGBTQ people needed the support of HR, senior management, etc. to safely put a photo of their partner on their desks.

LNAK exhibit audio · David Kosel recognizes the LGBT safety net created by corporations

To remain competitive with each other, companies research the policies and practices of other companies and may choose to modify their policies and practices in response. That process is called benchmarking, and during the surge of the LGBTQ workplace activism in the late 80s through the 90s, the benchmarking of many companies resulted in their incorporation of LGBTQ inclusive policies. After mass incorporation, the policies that were competitive advantages became expectations.

LNAK exhibit audio · David Kosel speaks about the Lambda Network’s supportive role

Rather than demand its acceptance, the Lambda Network was patient and prioritized education and support, creating optional but welcoming environments where learning was possible.

LNAK exhibit audio · Kathryn Rivers recalls the initial tension of the first Education Event with Management

At the 1995 (1st) Lambda Network at Kodak Education Event with Management, the network didn't know where its support stood. It didn't know how it would be received, and there were managers who didn't know how to receive the network.