COLOGNE, Germany, July 11, 2001 -- Members of the gay and lesbian community took to the streets of Cologne at the weekend to celebrate the annual Christopher Street Day Parade. One of the largest Gay Pride celebrations in the world, the parade included more than 120 floats with support from all areas of Germany.

 

Ford GLOBE members participate in the annual Christopher Street Day Parade in Cologne.

Ford of Europe was represented by GLOBE, an employee resource group comprised of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees. More than 70 Ford GLOBE members joined the parade, which included two Ford-sponsored Transits equipped with a deejay and room to dance.

"Christopher Street Day is the expression of gay, lesbian, bisexual people in Germany to be visible and show pride," said Tobias Nowak, member of Ford GLOBE, Germany. "And we, as Ford employees -- gay and lesbian Ford employees -- are part of it, of course. We expect a million people on the streets today, and up to 40,000 in the parade. Ford GLOBE will participate with roughly 70 employees."

 

Roughly 70 Ford GLOBE employees participated.

Ford of Germany showed its support to the community as one of the primary sponsors of the event by donating a Focus Futura edition as the first prize in a raffle, which included more than 1,200 prizes. Proceeds from the raffle will go to support Cologne-area residents living with AIDS, including the Cologne centre Lebenshaus.

"We are especially proud that Ford is generously sponsoring the event this year," explained Nowak. "They are paying all GLOBE's costs to participate; the decorations used on the vehicles and the vehicles were provided by Ford. We can throw roses to the crowd; we can give out lollipops to the crowd. Ford also sponsored the organisers of Christopher Street Day by buying ad space on stages and at parties. We have a Street-Live promotion at the party and the gay target-group media were supported with generous advertising.

"We, as members of Ford GLOBE, and myself as well, are proud that Ford is a leader in Germany, in my opinion, when it comes to supporting its gay and lesbian employees and in accepting them. For me, it's a strong motivational factor to work for Ford if I don't have to hide my sexual preference, and I believe I speak for the majority of the members in this."

The company's sponsorship of events like the Christopher Street Day Parade and London's Mardi Gras Gay Pride celebration are further proof that Ford values the diversity of its employees and that it believes the makeup of its work force should reflect the makeup of society.

©2001 Ford Communications Network -- reprinted with permission