Each year, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) compiles and issues a report detailing LGBT inclusion in the workplace called the Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Large corporations are graded on their performance regarding issues important to the LGBT community, equal rights workers, and those who concern themselves with corporate reputation, among others.

The CEI is created from information gathered from surveys that are sent out and returned from Fortune 1,000 companies and 200 top law firms. When corporations choose not to respond, the HRC compiles the information anyway, giving concerned individuals answers to compare one company’s policies against another’s while pushing for greater cooperation from those who have chosen to remain silent. Smaller companies with 500 employees or more may voluntarily request a survey.

Survey data reveals corporate policy in areas relevant to equal treatment and support of the LGBT workplace, their spouses, and the community. They include: non-discrimination policies, equal benefits, organizational competency, and public commitment. Points are added for corporate compliance with a top score of 100. Points are subtracted for known activities that undermine LGBT equality, making it possible for a corporation to incur a reduced or negative score.

Since its inception in 2002, the CEI has continued to evolve. Originally, the survey was sent to Fortune 500 companies, but has since expanded. Topics covered also have expanded, and fortunately, many companies have grown in their commitment to LGBT inclusion. The HRC reports that this year marks a record 366 companies earning the 100 score, which also earns them the coveted designation of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” You can access the entire report here.

An industry cross-section sampling of companies earning a 100 score include: Alcoa, Apple, CareFusion, Chevron, Ford, GameStop, Google, Hershey, Kaiser Permanente, Macy’s, Owens Corning, Proctor and Gamble, Qualcomm, Safeway, Starbucks, Toyota, Walgreen, Walt Disney, and Yelp.

In 2013, Barilla America Inc. came under fire when Guido Barilla made remarks unfriendly to the gay community. A product boycott spurred by media attention brought an apology from Barilla. It also sparked positive response from competitors and other corporations who reached out to the LGBT community. This public airing is one example of how LGBT issues can affect behavior on a global level. Barilla scored 100 in this year’s index.

Scoring less than admirably, was Berkshire Hathaway with 0, Cooper Tire and Rubber—25, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store—45, DaVita—15, Dish Network—0, Domino’s Pizza—35, Foot Locker—15, Group 1 Automotive—40, KB Home—50, McAfee—25, Oshkosh—15, Polaroid—30, Rite Aid—30, SAIC—15, SLM (Sallie Mae)—45, Transamerica—20, and Winn-Dixie Stores—45. Bottom feeder Exxon Mobile scored an abysmal -25.

On the positive side, eighty-nine percent of Fortune 500 companies include sexual orientation in their policies. While it is significant to report that 66 percent of these companies include gender identity in company policy protections, the HRC makes special note that this does not always translate into transgender inclusion in practice. It is outrageous that 29 states can fire an LGBT employee, and to be precise, make that 34 for being transgender.

As a part of the overall population, LGBT inclusion is a weak link in the struggle for basic civil rights. Civil rights are human rights, making 100 percent LGBT inclusion a priority among those who fight against discrimination. Having access to the CEI helps sharpen the target.

Zoe Amos brings her lesbian point of view to articles and stories on diverse topics. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. Read her stories on Kindle and Nook. Check out her other life at www.janetfwilliams.com

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Former Latta, S.C., police chief Crystal Moore

BY CANDY PARKER
Lesbian.com

Until last Tuesday, Crystal Moore was the police chief in Latta, S.C. But then the openly lesbian, 22-year veteran of the department was fired by Mayor Earl Bullard, sparking controversy in the small southern town.

Many, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), believe Moore’s dismissal is a clear case of anti-LGBT discrimination.

Mayor Bullard asserts Moore was released as a result of seven reprimands she received. Critics of the firing note that the reprimands were suspicious in that all seven were received on one day and Moore had previously never received a reprimand. Further, it was noted that Bullard broke with protocol by not giving Moore a verbal or written warning for any wrongdoing, or discussing the matter with the council before taking action.

Adding to the doubts regarding the Mayor’s motive were comments caught on audio tape shortly before Moore’s firing in which Bullard shared the following views with Latta Town Councilman Jared Taylor:

“I would much rather have … and I will say this to anybody’s face … somebody who drank and drank too much taking care of my child than I had somebody whose lifestyle is questionable around children.

Because that ain’t the damn way it’s supposed to be. You know … you got people out there — I’m telling you buddy — I don’t agree with some of the lifestyles that I see portrayed and I don’t say anything because that is the way they want to live, but I am not going to let my child be around.

I’m not going to let two women stand up there and hold hands and let my child be aware of it. And I’m not going to see them do it with two men neither.

I’m not going to do it. Because that ain’t the way the world works.

Now, all these people showering down and saying ‘Oh it’s a different lifestyle they can have it.’ Okay, fine and dandy, but I don’t have to look at it and I don’t want my child around it.”

On Thursday, HRC issued a statement calling for Moore’s reinstatement as police chief.

“By all accounts, Chief Moore has served the people of Latta, S.C., well for over 20 years,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “On the surface this looks a like clear-cut case of employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. Without explicit federal or state employment protections, a decorated police chief is left to fend for herself.”

HRC said the case highlights the need for Congressional passage of ENDA. A statement on the organization’s website read, in part:

“There is no explicit federal law against sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination, and lesbian, gay and bisexual people lack protection under the laws of 29 states, including South Carolina, and transgender people are not explicitly protected by the laws of 33 states, also including South Carolina. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would address discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based on the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Public employees, such as Chief Moore, often have recourse under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, but ENDA is necessary to expand those protections to private employees and to place all employers on notice of their obligations to their employees.”

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Vice President Joe Biden spoke to over 1,000 LGBT rights supporters at the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles gala on March 22. Vice President Biden’s inspiring remarks in support of global LGBT equality represent the latest step from a White House that has made fairness and dignity for LGBT people one of its top priorities.

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In March 2013, two marriage equality cases were heard by the Supreme Court. It was an historic first in the courtroom, but outside an historic viral movement was underway as well.

When HRC introduced “the little red logo that transformed the marriage equality narrative,” millions of Americans sympathetic to the marriage equality cause changed their social media avatars to the now famous pink equal sign set against a bright red background. Earlier this month the little red logo that could earned the civil rights organization a sweep at the SXSW Interactive Awards.

HRC garnered recognition in the Social Media, Digital Campaign of the Year and Best in Show categories for a campaign that gave the marriage equality movement a louder voice. The organization’s ability to engage large corporations, celebrities and even President Obama were noted as integral to its unprecedented success. The effort quadrupled traffic to the HRC home page, due in no small part to celebrity endorsements such as Beyoncé’s tweet to her 44 million followers: “It’s about TIME!!! #EQUALITY #MarryWhoYouLove,” accompanied by the HRC logo.

The HRC sweep marked the first time an organization or business took home three awards from the ‎SXSW‬ Interactive Awards Ceremony.

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HRC recently released a video of Whoopi Goldberg sharing a message for the leaders of Nigeria and Uganda, and a call to action for the LGBT community.

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Vice chair of the Clinton Foundation and former first daughter of the United States Chelsea Clinton was the keynote speaker at the Time to THRIVE conference on Sunday, February 16, in support of the LGBT community.

Clinton spoke at the end of the event, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada over President’s Day weekend; she gave an inspirational speech explaining that despite the advancement of rights such as marriage equality, there is still a lot left to do.

Read more at dot429.com

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Ellen Page announced today that she is a lesbian.

In front of an audience of LGBT youth at an HRC Time to Thrive event in Las Vegas, Page said, “I’m here today because I’m gay. And because maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility.”

People reports that the “Juno” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past” star went on to say that, “It’s weird because here I am, an actress, representing — at least in some sense — an industry that places crushing standards on all of us. Not just young people, but everyone. Standards of beauty. Of a good life. Of success. Standards that, I hate to admit, have affected me.”

In her remarks, Page also praised Division I defensive lineman Michael Sam for coming out ahead of his pro career and said that no longer having to lie about who she is will be an unimaginable weight lifted from her shoulders.

Watch Page’s HRC speech here.

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In a Valentine’s Day gift to herself, actress Ellen Page came out as a lesbian at the HRC Time to Thrive LGBT youth event in Las Vegas.

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U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder

BY CANDY PARKER
Lesbian.com

According to a breaking news report from CNN, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is set to extend the federal government’s recognition of same-sex marriage to include all 50 states. This would apply even in the 34 states in which same-sex marriage isn’t legal.

CNN reports that Holder will deliver a speech at the Human Rights Campaign’s New York City gala tonight that announces the Justice Department’s intention to issue a memo Monday recognizing same-sex marriages “to the greatest extent possible under the law.”

Video update: Eric Holder’s New York City HRC Gala speech.

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On February 5, the Human Rights Campaign announced that it will keep a running analysis of NBC’s coverage of Russia’s anti-LGBT activity during the 2014 Winter games in Sochi.

Over the course of the seventeen-day event, it is expected that the station, which has exclusive rights to air the events, will air about 1,500 hours of Olympics-related coverage; HRC plans to report daily on the time spent discussing Russia’s social and legal homophobia at HRC.org/Russia.

Read more at dot429.com

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