Altice USA needed individuals to lead its COVID response plan, and Hlawati more than stepped up. He took point on areas like employee vaccine and testing protocols and return to work policies, helping HR develop best practices. He continues to be a leader in employment law, using his personal experiences and professional expertise to champion policies for LGBTQ+ employees. Today’s media landscape is one Hlawati dreamed of after growing up craving more moments like then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton acknowledging gay and lesbian servicemembers. “Now, I watch with sheer thrill knowing that young LGBTQ+ community members see and digest more balanced and thoughtful representation every day,” he says. “Each television show, movie or even commercial feels like a banner moment when you grew up feeling invisible in any mainstream media source.”
What is the state of LGBTQ+ representation in media? I’m so proud to watch the evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in the media. I recall when I was young, I searched for any programming that mentioned being gay or lesbian. Specifically, I recall only nuggets of representation back then, but even the smallest ones counted: Bill Clinton, as a 1992 candidate for President, acknowledging gay and lesbian servicemembers, Phil Donohue’s shows on LGBT issues, Ellen’s famous coming out episode, or even the primetime soap operas! The smallest pieces of recognition meant everything to me as a young media consumer. Now, I watch with sheer thrill knowing that young LGBTQ+ community members see and digest more balanced and thoughtful representation every day. Each television show, movie or even commercial feels like a banner moment when you grew up feeling invisible in any mainstream media source.
How does your company encourage employees to bring their true selves to work? Part of why I became an employment lawyer was to have influence with management on policies impacting LGBTQ+ individuals. I used to think that the goal of being LGBTQ+ at work was to be able to go into any workplace and perform one’s job without fear of discrimination – to be judged on one’s work talents alone. In retrospect, this was an incremental success, but short-sighted. A workplace can be so much more rewarding. Each day I am amazed at the environment we’ve achieved at Altice USA. In discussions with the members of our Employee Affinity Group, Altice Together, I find that my experience of feeling not only supported, but championed as a valued, diverse employee, is not unique. I think our employment policies, benefits, D&I initiatives, executive representation, and our ranking as a best place to work, is the platform – the signal, if you will – that you should bring your true self, and your best self to our office.
