Attitudes shifting on gays in the workplace
As gays and lesbians meet in Denver this week to discuss workplace equality, the news on non-discrimination in the private sector is encouraging.
According to a new national Out & Equal Workplace Summit survey, more than half of heterosexuals (55%) feel that married spouses and same-sex partners should receive the same adoption assistance such as counseling and financial benefits offered by many employers. Seven in ten (70%) heterosexuals agree that the leave rights for family and medical emergencies (as outlined in the Family and Medical Leave Act) should apply equally to employees’ married spouses and same-sex partners.
Furthermore, the number of companies receiving a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign for having gay-friendly work environments is growing.
In its fourth-annual Corporate Equality Index, HRC graded 402 U.S. companies with at least 500 employees on their treatment of LGBT workers.
This year 101 companies got a perfect score, close to doubling last year’s group of 56 companies that received 100 percent.
Left to its own devices, the free markets are doing the right thing when it comes to gay rights. Unfortunately, Government lags behind, and remains the bastion of homophobic bigotry. But as Americans attitudes shift, perhaps employment non-discrimination will come to the US military and efforts to put employment discrimination into the State Constitution by banning local governments from granting domestic partner benefits will be defeated.
Workplace Improves For Gays But Most Still Have No Protections [365gay]
Majorities of Heterosexuals Agree Same-Sex Partners Deserve Same Adopton Benefits and Leave Rights Offered by Employers as Married Co-Workers’ Spouses Receive [GayLinkNews]