GE believes that people can and should be their authentic selves in the workplace. Our Pride Alliance employee resource group ensures that’s possible by supporting GE employees who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, or intersex. The group also raises awareness about LGBTQAI+ issues within the company, helps develop talent, and advocates for inclusive work environments.
Below we talk with two Capital Region members of GE’s Pride Alliance – Chris Morton, a 13-year GE veteran who serves as the group’s co-lead, and John Cote, who works with Niskayuna’s Government Operations team. Hear from Chris and John about their roles at GE, their thoughts on Pride, and the importance of inclusivity in the workplace.
John Cote
Senior Government Operations Manager
GE Research
Niskayuna, NY
4 years with GE
What is your role with GE and what does your work entail?
In my current role as the senior government operations manager, I manage the calculation of the Research Center’s U.S. government rates and ensure compliance throughout audits. In addition, I support the broader team with process improvement, lean initiatives, various questions regarding operational tools, and assist in the day-to-day functions of the Government Operations team.
What would you like us to know about your background?
I graduated from Siena College with a finance degree in May of 2019. I joined GE right after college and went through the FMP (Financial Management Program) with GE Gas Power/Renewables. I started working for GE Research after graduating from the program and have been here for the past two years.
What does it mean to embrace LGBTQ+ Pride?
I feel that embracing LGBTQ+ Pride is showing your support and being open minded. Self-awareness and being mindful of what you say is a huge way to embrace LGBTQ+ Pride.
What’s something you’re excited to do in celebrating your identity and Pride?
I got married in July of 2022 to my husband, Kirklyn. Every summer we take a trip to Provincetown, MA and celebrate Pride. We love to go to Provincetown because of how accepting and proud the area is.
What are some ways GE can help foster an inclusive environment so that everyone can bring their authentic selves to work? Why is this important?
I believe companies should ensure that all team members are treated equally, fairly, and respectfully. This is important in order to ensure every viewpoint is heard before making decisions. GE should celebrate team members’ differences to show that they are respected as individuals and valued.
Chris Morton
Lead Scientist
Niskayuna, NY
13 years with GE
What is your role with GE and what does your work entail?
I am a biologist for the GE Research - HealthCare organization. I have worked on many projects over the years, including imaging contrast agent development (PET and MR); midstream bioprocessing solutions; and most recently, bioelectronic medicine, which is a non-invasive, drug-free way to treat metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. We are also studying its use to accelerate wound healing by treating inflammation.
What would you like us to know about your background?
I grew up in a small New England town in the 70’s and 80’s. I didn’t have gay role models to look up to, and although I always knew that I was different, I didn’t come out until after college. After I came out, I felt like a weight had been lifted off of me. Throughout my career, I have worked with people who accepted me for who I am both in academia and here at GE.
You are the GE Pride Alliance Capital Region co-lead. Tell us about the importance of the group and the impact it has?
The Pride Alliance started as a grassroots effort and didn’t become an official ERG for many years. In the Capital Region, we are a small hub that focuses our energy on a few impactful events such as our Pride month movie and discussion, our clothing drive that collected over 150 pounds of clothing to support Café Euphoria in Troy, NY, and our Ally Reception in the fall to coincide with National Coming Out Day. We aim to give visibility to an invisible minority group. As one of the co-leads in this region, I try to be an advocate for both the membership of the Pride Alliance as well as those in the LGBTQ+ community that choose not to join the ERG.
What’s something you’re excited to do in celebrating your identity and Pride?
My wife and I tend to not go to parades and festivals anymore, but we do like to purchase things in rainbow colors. My wife has a pair of sneakers that has rainbow colors in the logo, we bought rainbow-colored lightbulbs for the string lights around our deck, and we each got a rainbow striped shirt this year.
In what ways do you believe companies should be celebrating Pride month?
While it’s great to see companies change their logos to rainbow colors and see their names as sponsors of local Pride parades and festivals, I believe that education is the best way to celebrate Pride month. By examining topics that allies don’t really understand and giving them an opportunity to learn, we can hope that they develop empathy that they can express throughout the year and not just during the month of June.
What are some ways GE can help foster an inclusive environment so that everyone can bring their authentic selves to work? Why is this important?
DEI initiatives should be more than just campaigns. Too often, an idea that is started to address an issue gains some traction and then dies off. Inclusivity needs to start right from the interview in the form of diverse slates and interview teams. The freedom to be authentic increases productivity. When people feel that they need to hide a part of their identity, they spend a lot of time and energy doing so. It is exhausting.
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