Oak Lawn Kroger fans defend store against allegations of not being gay-friendly

[LostInTime]

Employees, customers stress how supportive supermarket has been 🔗 [Link: pegasusnews.com/news/2007/mar/30/oak-​lawn-​kroger-​fans-​defend-​store-​against-​allegati/]

Employees and customers of the Cedar Springs Kroger adamantly defended the supermarket this week in the face of allegations that its parent corporation is not LGBT-friendly.
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Gary Chevalier, a wine consultant at the Cedar Springs Kroger, called HRC's findings unfair. Chevalier is a drag queen who recently won a prestigious award from Kroger honoring his fundraising for local LGBT and AIDS-related causes.
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Although Kroger has an equal employment opportunity policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, the policy does not include gender identity. Also, Cincinnati-based Kroger, which is ranked 21st in the Fortune 500, does not offer domestic partner benefits and does not support an LGBT employee resource group, according to HRC.

[Thundra]

While Kroger Company has an official policy against discrimination based on sexual identity or gender presentation, I can tell you that in Portland, it is on paper.

I myself, and many gays, lesbians, and transgendered folk have suffered all kinds of discriminatory behaviour from staff and management at the local branch of Kroger -- Fred Meyer.

They talk a good game, but when it comes to meting out punishment, or reviewing misbehaviours, they simply suck.

[Attis]

I work for Dillons here in Wichita, and we do have a manager, in floral department of all places, that is gay. I only guessed it from the fact he never talked about a family or kids, and he wore a pride bracelet [which doesn't look like one until you notice the imprints on it]. Yet despite this fact, there are still a few gay jokes tossed about, some veiled toward my person since I am the most gender ambiguous person on staff. Also, HRC rates Kroger as pretty low, lower than QuikTrip with regard to GLBTs.

-- Bridget

[Sheila]

Thundra,
  I know down here in Eugene the Fred Meyers here are very supportive. I worked with them for 22 years and my wife has worked for them for over 15 years. I retired as a manager and she is an HR person. If you are unfairly dealt with, go over the managers head. Deal with the HR people inthe main office. I know there are some store directors out there that are very bigoted, but if you have a problem with them go over there head. Make sure you have a case though. Also, you can go to BOLI and they will help you out. A good lawyer can make you some money and get a director fired. I have seen it done.
Sheila