Corporate America's Treatment of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Employees

The Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index has rated 379 companies, with Marriott International Inc. leading the way in Maryland, scoring 86 out of 100. The report highlights the progress made by companies in terms of offering domestic partnership benefits, nondiscrimination policies, and diversity training. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Vertis have also made significant strides in improving their policies and scores.

Key Takeaways:

• Marriott International Inc. scored 86 out of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, the highest among Maryland-based companies.
• Lockheed Martin scored 71, with initiatives like domestic partnership benefits and a diversity maturity model driving the company's progress.
• Vertis offered domestic partner benefits since 2000 and has had "very together" nondiscrimination policies, but scored a lower 43.
• Companies like Citigroup and Verizon Communications, Inc. scored 100 and 86, respectively, despite not being headquartered in Maryland.
• The Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index has encouraged more companies to do more for gay employees, with 56 companies receiving a perfect score in 2004, twice as many as in 2003.
• The index has had a profound impact on many workplaces, leading to significant change among companies with initial slow adoption of more equitable policies.
• Lockheed Martin's diversity council, formed two years ago, played a crucial role in the company's decision-making process, leading to initiatives like domestic partnership benefits.
• The company's diversity maturity model measures the success of diversity initiatives, which have improved the lives of employees.
• Vertis has a small presence in Maryland, employing about 180 people, but has a global workforce of around 8,000.

Statistics:

• 379 companies were rated in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.
• 56 companies received a perfect score in 2004, twice the number in 2003 and more than four times the number in 2002.
• Marriott International Inc. scored 86 out of 100.
• Lockheed Martin scored 71.
• Vertis scored 43.
• Citigroup scored 100.
• Verizon Communications, Inc. scored 86.
• Lockheed Martin employs about 13,000 people in the Washington region, including 6,500 in Maryland.
• Vertis employs about 180 people in Maryland and around 8,000 worldwide.

Sources:

• "A report card on corporate America's treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees" - no date
• Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Vertis, Inc.