In Gay Rights, Private Sector Is ‘Unlikely Hero,’ Survey Finds

Private industry is leading the way in ending discrimination against gay and lesbian employees and providing benefits to same-sex domestic partners, according to a survey released Tuesday by a gay and lesbian political organization.

Of the 319 companies surveyed by Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based advocacy group, 92% had written statements prohibiting discrimination because of sexual orientation, and 69% offered health insurance benefits for same-sex domestic relationships. By comparison, the federal government offers no benefits for unmarried partners--gay or straight--of its employees, although legislation has been introduced to provide such coverage.

“The truth is, it’s corporate America that has been the unlikely hero in the movement for equality for gay and lesbian Americans,” said Elizabeth Birch, executive director of Human Rights Campaign.

The group’s Corporate Equality Index rated companies on seven factors, including written nondiscrimination policies addressing sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, health insurance for employees’ same-sex domestic partners, sensitive marketing and advertising campaigns, and official corporate support for equal rights for gays and lesbians.

The results were based on responses received from companies surveyed, examination of similar surveys done in the past, Human Rights Campaign’s own database of corporate policies, news accounts, and information from employee groups and individuals. Before the companies were rated, the information collected was also examined by outside experts, the report said.

On a scale of 0 to 100, corporate America averaged 57. Thirteen companies, including California-based Intel Corp. and Apple Computer Inc., received a rating of 100. A quarter of the companies surveyed ranked second-best at 86, including American Airlines, Eastman Kodak Co., Nike and Xerox Corp.

Eight companies, including FedEx Corp., Domino’s Pizza Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., scored 14, the second-lowest category, because they neither overtly resisted nor supported equal treatment of gay and lesbian employees. CBRL Group Inc. (Cracker Barrel restaurants), Emerson Electric Co., and Lockheed Martin Corp. received a 0 rating.

“Equality and fair treatment in the workplace is no longer just about doing the right thing; it is also a bottom-line issue,” said Birch, who joined the advocacy group from Apple Computer in 1995.

California had the second-highest number of companies rated in the survey and is among eight states with an average score of 71, well above the national average.