Washington- The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today released its annual list of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality." This year 337 companies were awarded this distinction for their employment policies and practices that include LGBT workers and their families. The list comes as Fortune magazine has also released their annual "100 BestCompanies to Work For." A complete list of HRC's honored businesses is available online at: www.hrc.org/placestowork.

"With the amount of time people spend at work, having strong protections on the job make a real difference in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "By mandating equal opportunity in hiring, ensuring equal compensation through medical and family benefits, and promoting inclusive and equal workplaces for LGBT employees, these companies are a model for other employers and federal and state governments."

The "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality" distinction is awarded to businesses that scored 100% on the HRC Foundation's 2011 Corporate Equality Index, the primary method for businesses to benchmark and evaluate their policies, practices and diversity efforts relating to LGBT workers. The index evaluates non-discrimination policies, benefits, diversity training and other internal resources for LGBT workers, as well as external support for the LGBT community. Released in October, the 2011 Corporate Equality Index report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

The 337 businesses will be honored on March 23 at the Seventh Annual LGBT Workplace Awards Seminar and Reception hosted by Time Warner at the Time Warner Center in New York.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.