The Equality Principles

The Equality Principles were developed in 1992 by the Equality Project, a New York-based group that monitors corporate policies and practices surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

As Amended by the Equality Project (501c3) Executive Board, copyright 2005:

  1. The company will prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as part of its written employment policy statement.
  2. The company will disseminate its written employment policy statement company wide.
  3. The company will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of any employee’s actual or perceived health condition, status or disability.
  4. The company will offer equal benefits plans and opportunities to all employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  5. The company will include discussions of sexual orientation, gender and gender identity as part of its official employee diversity and sensitivity training communications.
  6. The company will give all employee groups equal standing, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  7. The company advertising policy will avoid the use of negative stereotypes based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
  8. The company will not prohibit, censor or place restrictions on advertising, marketing or promoting events on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity.
  9. The company will not discriminate in the sale of its goods and services, or in its agreements with suppliers and vendors on the basis on sexual orientation or gender identity.
  10. The company will not bar charitable contributions to groups and organizations on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.