Welcome to the History of DECplus
In 1998 Digital Equipment Corporation was taken over by Compaq. While many thought this would be the end of DECplus it was just the oppisite. A new beginning! Not just a new name (CompaqPLUS), but a whole new set of obsticles to face.
This page is dedicated to the work that was done with DECplus over the years.
In the Beginning...
Back in 1986 a bunch of bgl employees got together to try and get Digital to show support for the community. Two groups were formed.
DECpaq worked to get sexual orientation put into the non-discrimination policy, held discussion panels at various facilities to help break through the barriers that were keeping us back. They also headed off to various facilities to do role playing to help educate Digital's employees. The entire time they were together they fought to end harrassment at Digital.
Meanwhile DECplus worked on getting a community built. They organized Pot Luck Dinners, Halloween Parties, Talent Shows, Canoe Trips to name a few. This brought bgl people together outside of the Digital property in hopes of helping people accept who they are, and to know they aren't alone.
Colorado Joins in....
DECplus had a chapter start in Colorado in February of 1990. They were first at combining social and policy work which the reformation of DECplus in Massachusetts adopted. They sponsored speakers, operated a dunking tank booth at Digital United Way fundraiser. Worked closely with Rochelle King Patton, Central States Valuing Diversity Manager, to overcome harassment at the workplace.
Enjoyed barbeques, picnics, movies, game nights.
Marched in Colorado Springs Pride Parades with the DIGITAL banner and in July, 1992, The Denver Post ran an article about the Colorado Springs Gay Pride Parade. The article ended with the following words:
They also worked with HR to develop training and worked with other diversity organizations such as:
to increase awareness and make needed change on a local basis for all employees.
But then in 1992 both orgs were folding their tents as with the massive layoffs that Digital was having many people were afraid to make any waves. It was a sad time for the community as it felt so quiet, so lonely. And the Colorado group, like all Colorado diversity groups, was hit hard by layoffs. Activity became less and less frequent. The group became informal and is no longer active (discontinued March 1997).
The Reformation...
Then in September of 1995 the layoffs subsided and the group reorganized as both a political and social organization. There was a lot of work to be done because we had to get people interested in building a community again and put their fears behind them. We started this first by reaching out to the Transgendered community. Everyone wanted Domestic Partner Benefits, to feel safe in the workplace, end harrassment. All of the things that were once achieved (safe in workplace & end harrassment) were now back at square one. The org didn't know if HR would be there for us, if we could get others from the community to help out. Little did we know that what was about to start was something that was incredible. We got everything that we were searching for, and then some. We became the biggest diversity group in the company, and along the way made a lot of great friends, and a few people who wished we would go away. But all in all it was well worth it. Lets look at what happened in the past few years.
While DECplus is no longer, we will always remember the great strides they made for us. Thanks everyone for helping us grow! And hopefully you will be around when we need you during the CompaqPLUS years!
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