United Airlines Is Official Carrier For Lambda Legal Defense

(NEW YORK, May 1, 2000) — Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and United Airlines have agreed to a three-year commitment designating the carrier as Lambda’s official airline and corporate sponsor. United’s sponsorship will enable Lambda to extend the reach of its legal defense team in its work around the country assisting lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV and AIDS.

“United Airlines’s unprecedented support for Lambda’s advocacy could not come at a better time. This is an especially important year for Lambda and our constituents,” said Lambda Executive Director Kevin M. Cathcart.

“We look forward to winning major advances against discrimination in the workplace, toward the freedom to marry, for protection of lesbian and gay young people from violence and discrimination,” he said, adding, “ United’s sponsorship will be a great help to us in making our voice heard to support civil rights all around the country.”

Since its founding in 1973, Lambda has become the preeminent civil rights organization using litigation, public education, and policy work to extend the promises of liberty and equal treatment to lesbians, gay men and people with HIV/AIDS.

United Airlines provides support to a number of worldwide issues and organizations that reflect the civic priorities of its customers and its employees.

Jim Goodwin, United’s Chairman and CEO, has reaffirmed United’s commitment to promoting diversity and respecting its lesbian and gay employees and customers. United recently was cited as one of the top 25 U.S. companies for lesbian and gay employees by The Advocate, a leading national lesbian and gay magazine. United was one of the first U.S. airlines to prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and the first to announce domestic partner benefits for its employees and retirees. United was the first U.S. airline to advertise in lesbian and gay media and the first to tailor a national advertising campaign to the lesbian and gay market.

Serving as sponsor to an impressive array of social, cultural and professional organizations of interest to lesbian and gay customers and employees, United Airlines has created an enduring and supportive relationship with this constituency.

United's History of Support for the Gay & Lesbian Community

“United has a long history of supporting important lesbian and gay organizations and activities across the country," said Susana Leyva, a United spokesperson. "We are proud to be affiliated with Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, and extremely proud of the good work this organization does around the country. We look forward to continuing to make great strides through our association with Lambda in understanding the needs and concerns of our lesbian and gay employees and customers.”

Headquartered in New York, Lambda has regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. For information about Lambda’s current activities, please consult Lambda’s web site at www.lambdalegal.org.

Contact: Lambda - Sherry Thomas 212-809-8585 x 206
United - Susana E. Leyva 847-700-4971