Current Quarter Expenses.
Posted on 11/19/2011 2:21:42 PM PST by Graybeard58
WASHINGTON (BP) -- Led by such American staples as AT&T, Kellogg and Coca-Cola, a record number of businesses -- 337 in all -- achieved a perfect score in 2011 for their policies affirming homosexuality.
That's according to the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay organization, which launched its Corporate Equality Index in 2002, when only 13 businesses received a perfect score. By 2006 it had grown to 138, and last year it was at 305.
Released each fall, the list shows the challenge that pro-family groups and citizens face when attempting to spend their money only at businesses that affirm their values. For instance, soft drink fans can't simply avoid Coca-Cola, because Pepsi also made the perfect score list.
To get a perfect score of 100, companies had to meet six standards, including: 1) offering diversity training covering sexual orientation and gender identity, 2) having a non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation and gender identity, 3) providing domestic partner health insurance benefits, and 4) offering at least one insurance benefit for employees wanting to change their sex. Gender identity is a category that includes cross dressers and, when fully implemented, allows for men to use women's restrooms, and vice versa.
"In nine years, the CEI [Corporate Equality Index] has helped lead a sea-change in workplaces across the country," Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, wrote in the report.
Significantly, the large majority of companies with a perfect score voluntarily complete the survey on an annual basis and consider it a goal to make the list, HRC says. Some companies tout the score with their own press releases.
Next year, the qualifications will become more comprehensive, making it harder to make the list. But that also could lead to businesses falling in line -- which could further normalize homosexuality. In order to achieve a perfect score in 2012, businesses either will have to advertise in gay media, financially support at least one gay organization or event, or publicly support laws affirming homosexuality.
Even Cracker Barrel -- the southern-styled restaurant with the porch and rocking chairs -- was highlighted in the report for improving its score from 15 to 55. It did so, in part, by offering sexual orientation diversity training for employees. It also donated money to the Tennessee Equality Project, a gay group.
Land O'Lakes, Kellogg and Hershey achieved perfect scores this year for the first time, joining a who's who of large companies in that category. Among airlines with perfect scores were Delta, U.S. Airways, JetBlue and Continental. (Southwest scored 95.) Car manufacturers were represented by Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen. Among electronic and computer companies were Apple, Cisco, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark and Microsoft.
Home Depot, which has been targeted by some conservative groups for its policies affirming homosexuality, scored an 85. Its competitor, Lowe's, made a 30.
Food, beverage and grocery companies with perfect scores included Food Lion, Sara Lee, Campbell's Soup and Starbucks. (McDonald's scored 85, Kroger 75.) Among freight services, UPS scored a 100, with FedEx making an 80.
The list of businesses with perfect scores even included greeting card companies (Hallmark) and toy manufacturers (Mattel).
The nation's largest company, Wal-Mart, scored a 40.
The complete list is available at HRC.org/CEI. HRC uses it each year to put together a holiday "buyers guide" for its constituents.
Home Depot, which has been targeted by some conservative groups for its policies affirming homosexuality, scored an 85. Its competitor, Lowe’s, made a 30.
And Lowe’s is the one going out of business. Does not seem fair to me.
Oh we have cell phones with Verizon too but that is a separate phone bill.
I can’t give up diet coke. There is no way on Earth that can happen. What exactly do they do to support gays? What? they don’t fire them if people find out? I mean unless they the commercials and advertisement supports gays I would like to know what these companies are doing. On the face of it not much because I had no Idea that Coke was “supporting” this.
we individuals can go to these places with a clear mind and heart...
we don't have to associate with anyone we don't want too...
if it gets to the point that the gays are acting publically obscene then we take our business elsewhere...
its kind of like those restaurant workers with the rings in their noses,ears, eyebrows, lips etc...once I know the personal the place hires, I don't go there....
if a restaurant gets too much gay business, I won't go there either...
My two-word response when asked (albeit infrequently) why I don't contribute a dime to the United Way.
From the article, "To get a perfect score of 100, companies had to meet six standards, including: 1) offering diversity training covering sexual orientation and gender identity, 2) having a non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation and gender identity, 3) providing domestic partner health insurance benefits, and 4) offering at least one insurance benefit for employees wanting to change their sex. Gender identity is a category that includes cross dressers and, when fully implemented, allows for men to use women's restrooms, and vice versa."
Offering "one insurance benefit for employees wanting to change their sex" is not something I care to pay for, but what gets me is "allows for men to use women's restrooms, and vice versa". IOW, during "Take Our Children To Work Day" or in publicly available restrooms within their place of business, a man dressed as a woman would be allowed to walk into the same restroom as my daughter. I'm going to avoid supporting that with my $$$ to the best of my ability.
Finally, I found something I can agree with napscoordinator on. ;>)
I too have Verizon and without exception the products and costumer service have been absolutely outstanding. I wouldn’t use AT&T is they gave it to me for free.
Go Verizon........ but be sure you vote for Newt. ;>)
Sorry Naps, I couldn’t help myself. LOL
I want to shop there.
Ah, the suppositional if...if there were but a way to get around the if, then everything would be possible, if only...
Will is a better word, or rather the word that takes your very question and parses the appropriate and salient question: Will all the straight people stop buying their products? I doubt it.
lol. That was good.
;>)
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