The white and conservative face of Wal-Mart is attempting to give itself a make-over, reaching out to diverse groups through both corporate donations and company policies. It's most recent outreach to the gay and lesbian community is creating a bit of a stir among social conservatives, but Wal-Mart is only one of many global companies that have realized the importance of standing up for equality.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, 86 percent of Fortune 500 companies have non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and 253 of the 500 companies also offer domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples. These numbers are particularly impressive considering only 34 percent of states have non-discrimination protections for gay and lesbian people, and even fewer offer any kind of protections for same-sex couples.
There are several reasons for American companies' progressive policies towards gay and lesbian issues:
- Smart business decision: According to some estimates, gay and lesbian consumers spend about $514 billion a year. Studies have shown that gay and lesbian people react more favorably to products that are advertised or marketed specifically to gays and lesbians, and that gay and lesbian people are more likely to support companies or businesses that support gay and lesbian rights.
- Obtain the best and the brightest: When presented with a choice, gay and lesbian people are much more likely to work for companies that protect them with non-discrimination policies and domestic partner benefits. Just recently, the University of Wisconsin-Madison lost one of its most "promising" researchers (who brought in $3.4 million in grants) because the university does not offer domestic partner benefits.
- Looking to the future: Many companies are beginning to realize that the gay and lesbian movement truly is a civil rights movement and that future generations will judge companies based on their support. Ford Motor Company has been haunted by its anti-Semitic and prejudice-filled past, and like other gay and lesbian supportive companies, it is making sure it does not make the same mistake again.
Article comments
1 - RedTard
Providing corporate donations, concessions and other favors to advocacy groups for minorities, women, LGBT's and other special interest groups is an abomination. Ask yourself honestly: would you want Walmart donating to men's only groups, white only groups, or heterosexual groups?
Of course not, the double standard in this country is ridiculous. Letting passive-aggressive racist and sexist special interest groups have free reign to promote discrimination in this country is just another facet to the disturbing nightmare the US government machine has become.
2 - Jet in Columbus
In my imagination, I see some board member in a Wal-Mart conference room at their headquarters in Bentonville Arkansas. He’s getting more and more frustrated and suddenly stands up and asks angrily, “How much longer are we going to put up with The American Family Association thinking they can dictate our corporate policy?”
Then I envision someone else at that factious table suddenly growing an evil grin and with a smirk answers, “You know what would really piss them off?”
It began back in 2002 when The AFA demanded that Wal-Mart stop selling a married but pregnant Barbie doll because it was deemed anti-Christian and promoted teen promiscuity.
When Wal-Mart gave in, the church groups became emboldened and a year later dictated that Wal-Mart immediately cease selling “left-wing” “anti-family” magazines such as Cosmopolitan, FHM, Glamour and other similar tasteless rags.
Then fundamentalist Christian groups such as “The Americans For Truth” saw the AFA having their way with Wal-Mart and got inspired, or maybe jealous. The AFT called for a boycott against Ford Motor Company because the car company has been advertising in gay newsmagazines like “The Advocate.”
I was writing this article, but you beat me to it, so I'll say good job I thoroughly enjoyed reading yours
Now I have to think of something else to write about...
......drat
Jet
3 - Jet in Columbus
PS: the straw that "broke" Wal-Mart's patience was the AFA's phone campaign to harass them into not selling "Brokeback Mountain" DVD, which is where I was going with the article.
Again
good job of writing
Jet
4 - E.I.
I wouldn't be surprised if Jet's comment on the Wal-Mart Board meeting is relatively close to the truth.
American Family Association and other anti-gay orgs have targeted Disney, Focus Features, Ford, American Girl and numerous other companies who pledge even miniscule support for gay people (such as we won't fire you for being gay).
Wal-Mart's recent support for gay rights is just another example of major corporations realizing these anti-gay boycotts do not hurt them.
5 - Lady Dragonfyre
Companies who do not offer domestic partnership rights are ridiculous. No sane person is going to work for an organization that refuses to provide medical insurance for his/her family. They’re only alienating a portion of their talent pool, and if a CEO can’t see how counterproductive this is to his company’s own interests, he’s on crack.
It's not about special rights. It's about religious interest groups et al leaving us the hell alone so we can earn a living, provide for our families, and prepare for the future just like everyone else.
6 - Nancy
Religious interest groups never keep their noses out of anybody else's business; you ought to know that. The day they do, will be the day of the second coming, as they say.
7 - jeniffer
just ran across this article in a search thought I would give my 2 cents.. you know If all these huge companys like walmart would spend as much time and money on real issues like americas homeless or children in foster care that have no family. and countless other issues. the reason they don't is there is nothing for them to profit from.. It's all about the all mighty dollar. they will sell out ther very soul to make a profit..... what a sad place this world is becoming.. Religious intrest groups will always be on these topics because it's there duty to speak out if they don't then no one will...
8 - jen4me
Pedophiliacs are also people with diverse sexual tendancies that they are born with and can't help. Does Walmart donate to their group also?
9 - Jet in Columbus
...and once again the above asshole tries to glue the word pedophile onto the word gay. Ignorance is bliss I guess...