VIDEO: NGLTF to honor Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis for supporting LGBT community

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http://sdgln.com/causes/2011/05/31/ngltf-honor-us-secretary-labor-hilda-l-solis-lgbt-support

WASHINGTON -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) will honor U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis for her longtime support of LGBT rights and the leadership she has provided in her current position to advance equal treatment under the law in employment practices for LGBT workers.

It will be the first time the secretary of labor will be given an award by a national LGBT rights organization. Solis will be honored at the Pink & Purple Recognition Awards Brunch taking place at the Mayflower Hotel on Sunday, June 5, from 11 am to 3 pm

"Secretary Solis has been a strong and longtime advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights," said Rea Carey, executive director of NGLTF. "From each position she has held, Solis has made it clear that LGBT people are part of the fabric of this country and that we cannot move forward unless all of us are treated equally. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to honor her."

Solis has a long history of supporting the rights of LGBT people, including protecting her own employees from discrimination at the Department of Labor.

In April 2011, she issued an order to change the departmental equal employment statement to add gender identity as a protected category. The policy, while internal to the Department of Labor, applies to all hiring, promotion and disciplinary practices for employees of the agency.