"Robby Starbuck is so radical the Tennessee Republican party kicked him off the ballot. Companies should not be cowering to a random guy with zero business experience who is a political bully and election denier. These shortsighted decisions also have long term consequences. Hastily abandoning efforts that ensure fair, safe, and inclusive work environments for LGBTQ+ people based on manufactured outrage from MAGA bullies is bad business and leaves their employees and millions of LGBTQ+ allied customers behind. With nearly 30% of Gen Z identifying as LGBTQ+ and the community wielding $1.4 trillion in spending power, retreating from these principles undermines both consumer trust and employee success.”

-Eric Bloem, HRC Foundation's VP of Programs and Corporate Advocacy

Research shows that if a brand publicly supports and demonstrates a commitment to expanding and protecting LGBTQ+ rights, Americans of ALL ages are 2x more likely to buy or use the brand. Over half (53%) of Americans want and expect CEOs to “inform and shape conversations and policy debates about LGBTQ+ rights.” 71% of LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. are more likely to buy products from companies that purposefully reach out to the LGBTQ+ community.

HRC’s Corporate Equality Index showcases how hungry businesses are to increase their support for the LGBTQ+ community. In its first year there were only 319 participating businesses; this year’s CEI engaged over 1,300 businesses, indicating an increase in the successful implementation of inclusion best practices across U.S. businesses. For more than 20 years, HRC’s Workplace Equality program has been at the forefront of meeting businesses where they are at and helping them expand benefits and opportunities for LGBTQ+ employees.