NEW YORK– The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today announced it will award General Electric (GE) the 2015 HRC Corporate Equality Award. The award recognizes GE’s commitment to equality for the LGBT community and will be presented at the 2015 Greater New York Gala on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. 

“We are thrilled to honor GE with this year’s award,” said Deena Fidas, director of the HRC Workplace Equality Program. “A role model for workplace equality, GE has clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting its LGBT employees through inclusive corporate policies and practices.”

“We are pleased to be recognized by the Greater New York HRC for our ongoing commitment to create a more inclusive workplace for our employees and for our efforts to promote fairness and equality for LGBT people,” said Deborah Elam, President of the GE Foundation and Chief Diversity Officer of GE. “We believe our strength lies in our employees—in their talents, their skills and their passions. We’re proud to help our colleagues reach their full potential and contribute to the progress of the industries and communities we support.”

Already providing domestic partner benefits since 2004, GE was one of the first major corporations to extend full same-sex spousal benefits to all U.S. employees soon after the Supreme Court’s decision in the Windsor case in 2013, even before the IRS issued its guidance on tax considerations. GE is also a member of the Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness, a group of leading U.S. employers that support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. And just last month, GE joined 30 other American businesses urging the Supreme Court to “consider a uniform principle that all couples share in the right to marry.” During annual enrollment in October of last year, GE announced that it would offer transgender inclusive healthcare coverage for all U.S. employees, which took effect January 1 of this year.

GE has participated in the HRC Corporate Equality Index (CEI) since its inception in 2002. The HRC CEI is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBT employees, and GE proudly boasts a 100% score this year.

"On behalf of the entire HRC Greater New York Gala Committee, we are proud to recognize GE and its long standing commitment to LGBT equality,” said Craig deGroot, co-chair of the HRC Greater New York Gala. “GE has shown a commitment to supporting its LGBT employees for years by providing equal benefits and opportunities, as well as supporting measures to bring equality to all on the state and federal level.”

The Greater New York Gala is one of HRC’s most prestigious events of the year, attracting over 1,000 of the organization’s most active leaders, supporters, and members. The event regularly draws political officials from federal, state, and local governments, as well as celebrity entertainers and leaders in the business community.

To purchase tickets to HRC’s Greater New York Gala, please visit www.hrc.org/boxoffice.

All media planning to attend MUST pre-register by Monday, January 12.  To request media credentials, please contact Stephen Peters at stephen.peters@hrc.org. Only members of the media who have been credentialed for this event will be allowed entrance. Further press logistics and coverage details will be forthcoming to credentialed media.

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.

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