15 Most LGBTQ Friendly Companies in the US

Published on January 10, 2023 at 8:59 am by Ty Haqqi in Lists, News

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 15 most LGBTQ friendly companies in the US. To skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to see 5 Most LGBTQ Friendly Companies in the US.

Go back a few decades and the LGBTQ movement didn’t even exist. According to many historians, the start of the modern gay rights movement took place in 1965 in Philadelphia. Despite this early interest, few inroads were made regarding LGBTQ movements even globally. While the common goal between most such movements has been for social equality for LGBTQ communities, even partial success has taken decades to achieve, and has largely been limited to developed countries. Even in 2021, there are just 31 countries in the world which recognize same-sex marriages, and legalization of same-sex marriages has not signified the end of the vast discrimination that most LGBTQ members face. In fact, the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage was the Netherlands in 2001, just 21 years ago. Pre-2000, not a single country allowed same sex marriage and yet, these countries now lambast those who haven’t made such progress, just because the progress has not been according to their timelines.

Of course, this is not to say that great advancements haven’t been made in this case. Even a few years ago, coming out as a member of the LGBTQ community was nothing less than a death sentence to one’s social standing or even one’s career. This is why people such as Ellen DeGeneres have been rightly lauded for coming out as a lesbian in 1997, when acceptance was nowhere near as widespread as it is today, and still managed to have an incredible career. In other areas such as sports, it is still much harder to come out as toxic stereotypes and lack of acceptance prevail in sports. In June 2022, a study revealed that the majority of abused suffered by footballers consisted of homophobia, as traditional beliefs prevail that sports are for “manly” people. The first gay professional player in Australia, Any Brennan, only came out in 2019, just to emphasize how recent the phenomenon of acceptance is and how there is still a lack of people who feel comfortable coming out.

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Of course, in developing countries, especially those where the majority of people are religious, acceptance of the LGBTQ community basically does not exist. Islam, the second-most dominant religion in the world, in terms of number of followers, is strictly against homosexuality of any kind, which is why in many Muslim countries, homosexuality isn’t just illegal, it is often punishable by death. While there are more than a dozen countries which prescribe the death penalty for homosexual activity, there is little evidence of executions taking place in most such countries. However, that doesn’t mean that the LGBTQ community can live safely, as repression and extrajudicial killings can be carried out, while you will definitely be discriminated against and acceptance is just a pipe dream for now.

On the other hand, many developed countries, especially in the West, have passed laws forbidding any discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, especially in places of work. Most multinational companies based in the West enforce policies enforcing that no discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is acceptable in any case. This helps spread this idea in countries where laws and regulations are not in favor of the LGBTQ community that their acceptance is important. Nowadays, as LGBTQ acceptance grows, companies are much more vocal in their support as well, especially as the majority of young adults believe that business owners should not be allowed to refuse service to LGBTQ people.

Nowadays, companies aren’t just judged based on their financial performance; Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is one of the most important considerations when judging a company’s success. LGBTQ is an important part of the “social” aspect of ESG, and diversity and inclusion can now often be seen among the primary objectives of many companies, especially if these companies are multinationals. While many companies may be doing it just for lip service, it is undoubtable that focusing on diversity and inclusion is beneficial to the company too. According to a report by McKenzie, companies who have greater diversity within their ranks have a 25% better chance of bettering the financial performance of their competitors. Meanwhile, a Credit Suisse study also identified positive correlation between LGBTQ diversity and the financial performance of a company when considering a basket of 270 companies which support LGBTQ diversity.

Currently, there are hundreds if not thousands of countries globally which have focused heavily on LGBTQ rights. For the most LBGTQ friendly companies in the US, we consulted various similar lists especially focusing on companies mentioned by the Human Rights Campaign foundation, to come up with our own. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the companies doing the most to promote a cause which has been ignored for far too long, starting with number 15:

15. Ernst & Young LLP

One of the biggest financial services firms in the world, Ernst & Young LLP has published researched on how companies need to do more to be inclusive to LGBTQ communities and the ways to do that.

14. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the biggest tech companies in the world, and has committed to provide a safe place for the LGBTQ community within its ranks. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) has also teamed up with major LBGTQ associations including Out & Equal and Human Rights Campaign.

13. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)

One of the biggest software companies in the world, has consistently provided donations to LGBTQ non-profit organizations. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) also released an Xbox Pride controller, which you can decide whether its a capitalist twist on LGBTQ support or genuine support.

12. American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL)

One of the largest airlines in the world, American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) was the first major U.S. airlines to protect LGBTQ members among its employees by including sexual orientation and gender identity in its workplace nondiscrimination policies. American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) created a dedicated “Rainbow Team” to implement LGBTQ policies in the company in 1993 after a fax was leaked to new outlets where an employee requested changing pillows and blankets because of activists returning from a gay march in Washington.

11. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN)

Just like all other organizations in our list of the most friendly LGBTQ companies in the world, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is committed to ensuring that it provides an inclusive environment for all employees regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) also provides equal benefits to same-sex couples in every country where the law allows, not to mention providing transgender health benefits in 17 countries.

10. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has faced some flack in the way it treats its employees, including being against unions. However, it cannot be argued that Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has been involved a lot in LGBTQ rights for more than three decades.

9. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

The largest company in the world by revenue, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is also the largest private employer in the U.S. with more than 2 million employees which is why Walmart Inc.’s (NYSE:WMT) support for the LGBTQ community matters a lot. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has sponsored several events for LGBTQ Pride across the years.

8. Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS)

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) is a toys and entertainment company, counted among the giants of its industry. Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) makes sure to empower all employees, no matter what their race, gender identity or sexual orientation. Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) also operates a Pride network which provides a visible safe space to all LGBTQ employees in the organization.

7. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is one of the biggest beverage producers in the world with operations and products available in more than 180 countries. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) supports many local and international LGBTQ organizations and has scored 100% on the Human Right Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) was also one of the first companies to extend public support to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

6. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V)

The American financial services company has been a proud support of the LGBTQ community for a while now. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) has continued to emphasize its policy of inclusion and diversity with one of its policies being the creation of employee resource groups, which includes Visa Pride. Furthermore, Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) has also provided support to the United Nations Standards for LBGTQ, which is “a best-practice guide for policies and practices for LGBTI employees and inclusive workplaces. This guide, produced by the United Nations Human Rights Office, outlines five Standards of Conduct to support the business community in tackling discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people.”

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