The Top LGBTQ+ Friendly Companies in the US
Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ community, or a consumer who supports inclusivity and diversity, these 9 companies have proved to be leaders in the fight for equality.
1.Ben and Jerry’s
Ranking at number 1, Ben and Jerry’s has a long history of supporting various social causes, one important one being equality of the LGBTQ community. For over 20 years they have been devoted to the cause of legalizing gay marriage and supporting the rights of the community. In 1996 their foundation awarded grants to PLFAG (Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays). Since then they have even created 👨❤️👨 “Hubby Hubby”, an ice cream that celebrated the legalization of gay marriage in Vermont in 2009, in addition they rallied support for gay marriage in Australia with “I Dough, I Dough”, “EngageMint Party” in Ireland, and “Apple-y Ever After” in the U.K.
Legislation they supported
- Vermont’s groundbreaking civil-unions legislation of 1999.
- The Employment Non-Discrimination act of 2001.
2. Absolut Vodka
For 30 years Absolut has been known to target the gay community with their advertising. This year they launched their new campaign, “We’re Not Your Average Family”, in partnership with Equality California, to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility. The campaign will feature Absolut, Altos tequila, Jameson, Malibu and Absolut Elyx. The company was one of four to sue the Trump administration for rollbacks on LGBTQ students in schools and the ban on transgender people serving in the military. In the history of Absolut being imported to the United States, the company has formed 25-year relations with GLAAD, HRC , Trevor Campaign and Equality California.
3. Levi’s
In 2015, Levi’s launched a campaign in combination with Stonewall Community Foundation to support the long fight for equality in the LGBTQ community. Stonewall is believed to be the first gay rights protest which prompted the formation of the gay rights organization. For their 13th year in a row LS&C received a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign.
Legislation they supported
- Same Sex Marriage Amicus in Supreme Court.
- Repealing the Mississippi House Bill 1523.
- Repealing North Carolina’s House Bill 2.
4. Target
Although relatively new to showing their support, Target has done its part to incorporate inclusivity in their company and their brands. In 2015 they released their Pride manifesto, which is a year-round commitment to creating inclusive culture and showing pride for the community among workers. In addition they signed on in support of the Equality Act that amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity in employment. For the fifth year in a row Target launched their pride line for their #takepridecampaign. Last spring they launched a new kids home line with gender neutral items in support of Transgender rights.
5. Google
Last year Google was noted among the LGBTQ community for donating 1 Million dollars to the LGBT Community Center in New York City. The digital memorial honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. William Floyd, Googles head of external affairs said that, “The Stonewall Riots were important to the ongoing road to civil rights for LGBT communities around the world — and their message is as resonant and necessary today as it was back then.”
In addition Google has partnered up with LGBTQ organizations that protect workers against employment discrimination. The company has been quick to study and promote the success of LGBTQ inclusion, specifically in marketing campaigns.
6. Chobani
Chobani recently released a commercial showing a same-sex couple waking up together and starting their day with a Chobani. This commercial is in part of their “To Live This Life is to Live Naturally” campaign. Peter McGuinness, chief marketing and brand officer of Chobani said, “We’ve been an inclusive brand from the beginning and equal rights has been fundamental and foundation for this brand.” The basis of the company is to give better food to more people, they believe that good food shouldn’t be a privilege it should be a right. Support of the LGBTQ community aligns with their core beliefs of the company.
7. Comcast
Philadelphia’s own Comcast has shown to be an ally of the LGBTQ community. For the fifth consecutive year Comcast NBC Universal earned a score of 100 percent on the Human Right’s Campaign’s CEI (Corporate Equality Index), and was named a Best Place to Work for LGBT equality. In 2016 Comcast and its employees participated in numerous Pride parades around. In 2016, the company celebrated Pride Month by creating a curated On Demand LGBT collection of more than 400 titles. All remotes were programmed so the user could say “pride” and the collection would appear.
Comcast and NBC Universal partnered with GLAAD to produce a message of support for LGBTQ youth around the world. Many of the companies networks including MSNBC, USA, Syfy, Bravo and Oxygen took a stand against bullying for Spirit day.
8. The Gap, Inc.
Gap recently partnered with GLAAD in order to share LGBT employees stories for new campaign “Got Your Back”. Thirteen Gap employees share their coming out stories in the video promoted by GLAAD. This is an ongoing GLAAD effort to encourage allies to speak out in support of the LGBTQ community. The project is believed to be in line with the corporations belief that “lifting voices out of isolation — and vocalizing support is a critical step in achieving equality,” said Paul Tew of Gap Inc’s GEAR.
9. Lyft
Lyft has recently partnered with SAVE to bring safe and reliable rides to the LGBTQ community. SAVE is a Florida based organization who protect the community against discrimination. Lyft is calling the partnership “Ride with Pride”. Lyft has supported the gay community for four years in a row at Pride in San Diego. In the previous two years they have partnered with the San Diego LGBT community center, and just this year partnered with the popular LGBTQ restaurant group, Mo’s Universe. For any Lyft Pink Flamingo purchased at a Mo’s Universes location during pride, Lyft vowed to donate $1 to the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Lyft also showed support during the NYC Pride parade this year. Bobby Berk, of Queer Eye, teamed up with the ride sharing company to marry couples on a float in the parade.
Berk said “You always get a very friendly and inclusive feeling when you interact with Lyft. Their values represent the same values I have.”
If your company or one you know has a history of supporting LGBTQ and inclusivity, leave a comment to let us know!
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