HRC reports
record number of gay-friendly companies

In its fourth annual report on corporate America's treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on Tuesday revealed a record 101 companies with a perfect 100% score, more than seven times as many since the first report card in 2002. "Equality now illuminates thousands of factory floors, board ooms, and cubicles across America," said Joe Solmonese, president of HRC. "While politicians may have their foot on the brake, corporate America accelerates toward equal treatment for working people."

The foundation's fourth annual report card--the Corporate Equality Index--rates Fortune 500 and other major companies on a scale from 0% to 100% on seven key indicators of fair treatment for GLBT employees. Indicators include policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as well as equal health care benefits. The record number of companies scoring 100% is attributed to a sharp increase in gender identity nondiscrimination policies. In 2002 only 13 companies earned a perfect rating. "With 101 companies scoring 100%, millions of Americans now have protections they would have only dreamed of a few years ago," said Daryl Herrschaft, director of the foundation's Workplace Project and lead author of the report. (Advocate.com)