Posted on 12/03/2005 7:39:53 PM PST by bloggodocio
A national gay and lesbian activist group released a buyer's guide Wednesday that details which large companies have policies that are fair for gay employees.
The guide, released by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization Human Rights Campaign, aims to steer consumers away from some brands they say are unfair to gays.
"LGBT Americans are changing the policies of corporate America at the checkout line," said Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign president. "The buying guide helps fair-minded consumers make their best choices this holiday season."
The 28-page pocket guide groups businesses into categories such as "electronics" and "household products." Each corporation is rated on a scale from zero to 100 based on seven criteria important for gay employees, including protection against discrimination and health care benefits for domestic partners.
Examples of suggested buying choices include shopping at clothing retailer Banana Republic over L.L. Bean, and purchasing high-tech gadgets from Best Buy instead of Circuit City. Three corporations tied for least-fair in the listing with a rating of 14: retail and grocery chain Meijer Inc., energy giant Exxon Mobil Corp. and textile manufacturer Shaw Industries.
The campaign criticized Exxon Mobil for not offering health benefits to domestic partners of Exxon employees when the company merged with Mobil in 1999. Employees who initially worked for Mobil continue to receive benefits for domestic partners.
"We believe that basing employee benefits on legally recognized spousal relationships that are broadly recognized within the country is the only way our benefits plans can be applied in a fair, rational, and consistent manner for our 88,000 employees worldwide," said Russ Roberts, a spokesman for Exxon Mobil, in an e-mail.
"Exxon Mobil is guided by the laws in the nearly 200 countries and territories where we operate. ... In the United States we have elected to adopt the definition of spouse used in federal legislation, which has the effect of limiting coverage to heterosexual couples.
"Our record on discrimination speaks for itself - we do not discriminate. Period," Roberts added.
A record 101 companies posted perfect ratings in the guide, up from 56 in 2004 and 13 in 2002, the index's first year.
"We don't ask these companies to know us, or even like us," said Sheila Alexander-Reid, founder of the black lesbian organization Women in the Life. "We just want them to treat all their employees equally and fairly."
Reid said the survey would play a large part in influencing where she shops. Most gays and lesbians want to buy from gay-friendly companies, but usually base their decisions only on which ones advertise in gay media, she added.
"With this guide, now we know for sure," Reid said.
According to research by Witeck-Combs Communications and Harris Interactive, 70 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are very or extremely likely to consider a brand that is known to provide equal workplace benefits for gay and lesbian employees. Solmonese said the gay and lesbian community has an estimated $610 billion of buying power.
The campaign sent surveys to 755 companies, including all Fortune 500 companies and those on Forbes' list of the 200 largest privately held firms.
According to the guide, 236 responded. The campaign rated an additional 166 companies based on its own research, which included searching public records and examining litigation and Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Four other companies that fared poorly in the guide did not return telephone calls asking for comment.
For a complete listing of the campaign's rankings go to www.hrc.org/BuyersGuide
Careful, you could get hepatitis from eating that.
Bacrdi, now that's some good news.I'll take a shot to that. I thought gays would be shopping at places like bed bath and beyond and bath and body works.
Back in the 1990s, I heard folks say, "Never give a fruitcake for Christmas." Around that time I discovered the Collin Street Bakery, and my response was, "Whoever said that phrase never tried the Collin Street Bakery product." :)
I'm sick, sick, sick of this crap!!! Christmas has been around for centuries, these minority groups need to get lost, get a life or shut up!
"...these minority groups need to get lost, get a life or shut up!"
How about all three?
+
Thanks - most excellent.
I like the gay guide because it gives a score - so I know who is doing best.
Actually, Best Buy has been under investigation in Wisconsin for 'bait-and-switch' tactics.
Gay-friendly, Bait-and-Switch.
Hmmmmmm...
How about all three?
Works for me!
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