Online errors.As part of Time Warner, AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. now provides benefits for gay domestic partners and workplace protections for gay and lesbian employees. But its pre-Time Warner missteps on gay issues were several: * In 1997, a company employee, defying AOL policy, confirmed the identity of Timothy McVeigh to the Navy, which was investigating gay postings from an anonymous serviceman. In a court settlement AOL paid undisclosed damages to the 17-year veteran, who was forced to retire with full benefits. * In November 1999, AOL met with LGBT LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender groups angry over the company's censoring of gay and lesbian personal profiles while turning a blind eye to antigay hate speech in postings and chat rooms. The sitdown with HRC and GLAAD GLAAD Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation resulted in online policy revisions. * In 2000 gay activists learned that Jean Case, wife of AOL cofounder co·found tr.v. co·found·ed, co·found·ing, co·founds To establish or found in concert with another or others. co·found and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Steve Case, had donated $8.35 million to a private Florida school run by the antigay Coral Ridge Ministries. It soon became known that the Cases donated to other antigay groups as well. |
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