HRC Blog

Good afternoon,   It’s a concern for all of us today, and at the top of the nation’s political agenda - the struggling economy.   This week, President Obama addressed the nation and told us about the hard work and sacrifices ahead in mitigating this financial crisis. More Americans are losing their jobs every day, and many more fear what lies ahead.  But if you're an LGBT American, you have additional concerns and challenges.   Millions of us work in cities, counties and states where discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation is still legal. This additional threat of losing a job simply for who you are is a terrible burden.   Employers and lawmakers alike should support the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act to establish clear and consistent expectations that workers be evaluated based on the quality of their work—not their gender identity or sexual orientation.   Many of the nation’s largest employers are already leading the way, proving to both policymakers and the public that equality is good for business.   The HRC Foundation’s Workplace Project recently released the latest edition of The State of the Workplace report—and the news is good. The report shows that the country’s largest and most competitive employers have added protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation, setting consistent expectations of equal opportunity regardless of where their employees work.   More employers have improved benefits to ensure fair treatment of LGBT employees and their families. Today, 57 percent—a total of 286—of the Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partner benefits.   Companies are increasingly removing discriminatory exclusions for medically necessary, transgender-specific treatment. Eighteen of the Fortune 100 now provide transgender-inclusive health insurance, compared to just one in 2001.   The State of the Workplace also reports that 35 percent—a total of 175—of Fortune 500 businesses have gender identity protections, including 60 of the top 100 Fortune-ranked businesses. In 2000, just three of the Fortune 500 businesses had such protections.   Furthermore, 85 percent of the Fortune 500 businesses now have protections based on sexual orientation, compared to 51 percent in 2000.   Download this year’s report here.   Thanks to your continued support, HRC will continue to work with businesses and lawmakers to ensure that, one day, no one in the LGBT community will face discrimination in the workplace.   Finally, tomorrow is the last day of Black History Month. In recognition of this time, HRC has created a new video that honors civil rights icons that have boldly supported the LGBT community in the past—and highlights the future leaders who will carry the torch for racial and LGBT equal rights. I encourage all of you to take a moment to watch this moving video. Watch it here:  

Again, many thanks for all that you do.   Warmly,