KOLAGE began on January 7, 1998 with the announcement that The Coca-Cola Company had agreed to be the Gold Sponsor of the 1998 Atlanta Human Rights Campaign Dinner. The news spread quickly throughout the organization and it was apparent that there was a huge need to create a communication vehicle for information on issues of concern to gay and lesbian associates. Members of the communication list adopted the name KOLAGE on May 19, 1998.
The primary focus of KOLAGE is to ensure a safe, fair and equitable work environment for employees of the Coca-Cola system. This focus includes such concerns as the elimination of workplace harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation, inclusion of same-sex domestic partners in company benefits which are extended to spouses of married employees, and support for employees seeking to "come out" within their work environment. KOLAGE also serves as an information resource for issues, concerns, external resources and events within the greater lesbian and gay community.
The two original founders of KOLAGE, Michael Wright and David Beauchamp, have since left the company.
On Thursday June 22, 2000 The Company announced that domestic partner benefits would become available on Jan 1, 2001. This was one of the main goals of KOLAGE and when we achieved this, the efforts of KOLAGE changed. We focused on getting official internal recognition. We wanted to get rid of our disclaimer "KOLAGE is an independent organization and is not endorsed, sponsored, or an affiliate of The Coca-Cola Company or any Coca-Cola bottler." In November, the Company decided to endorse employee forums. The KOLAGE steering committee then started working on determining how KOLAGE will function as one of the employee forums.
Early in 2001, the forums were announced and all associates were sent a message about which forums existed and how to join -- no more spreading just by word of mouth.
We will also work to ensure that The Company takes a more active role in the glbt community--from advertising in magazines like Advocate and Out, to sponsorships of events like Pride, HRC dinners, and AIDS Walks.