Washington, DC—The National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Bar Association announced Gary F. Kennedy, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for American Airlines, as the recipient of the 2009 Allies for Justice Award.  Each year, the LGBT Bar recognizes an individual who has partnered with the LGBT community in the struggle for equality.

“Gary Kennedy has proven a powerful ally to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community,” said D’Arcy Kemnitz, Executive Director of the National LGBT Bar Association.  “American Airlines’ overall commitment to diversity underscores the belief that diversity is not a feel-good extravagance, but rather an ongoing business imperative.”

The National LGBT Bar Association singled out the AA Legal Department’s extensive community involvement, ambitious recruiting of women and minority attorneys, and aggressive diversity goals regarding hiring outside counsel as some of the many reasons for Mr. Kennedy’s selection.

“As the voice of the LGBT legal community, the National LGBT Bar Association cannot think of someone we would be more pleased to have as American Airlines’ General Counsel than Gary Kennedy,” said Kemnitz.  “His department’s LGBT-inclusive diversity initiatives have set a standard we hope to see achieved more broadly in the corporate America .”

“American Airlines’ competitive strength is found in our leaders, like Gary Kennedy, who truly understand the fundamental links among diversity, inclusion and business success,” said Denise Lynn, American’s Vice President - Diversity and Leadership Strategies. “ Gary is a true champion here, for our workforce and in the community; speaking for all of his colleagues, we take great pride in this well-deserved honor.”

Previous winners of the Allies for Justice Award include Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Minority Corporate Counsel Association Executive Director Veta Richardson, and U.S. Congressman John Lewis.  For more information about the award or to see a complete list of previous winners, please visit:  http://www.lgbtbar.org/allies.html.

The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal organizations. The association promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity.