More businesses support LGBT workers
Like most causes that Columbus-based Mills James Creative Media supports, the Human Rights Campaign— the nation’s largest advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights — was something that several employees were passionate about.
The company isn’t alone: A growing number of local businesses are taking a stand to support their LGBT workers and speak up in favor of samesex marriage and other equality issues.
Last night’s Human Rights Campaign’s Columbus Gala at Ohio State University’s student union drew a record crowd of more than 800, twice the attendance of eight years ago. Corporate sponsors have increased to more than a dozen, including Cardinal Health, L Brands, Big Lots, OhioHealth and Resource, all based in central Ohio.
“I think there’s been a culture change in corporations, and various groups and organizations have been more comfortable supporting” gay rights, said BobMcWilliams, manager of human resources for Mills James. The company added partner benefits three years ago.
Cardinal Health, like Mills James, isn’t just supporting the annual gala.
Each year, the Human Rights Campaign releases a corporate equality index to measure corporate policies pertinent to LGBT employees, and Cardinal Health has received a perfect score of 100 in each of the last six years. “We’re very proud of that,” said Steve Falk, Cardinal Health’s executive vice president and general counsel and executive sponsor of the company’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees research group.
“I think there is a greater desire among the corporate world for diversity inclusion and embracing diversity,” Falk added.
Growing corporate support for LGBT equality reflects a shift in public opinion.
Same-sex marriage is outlawed in Ohio. However, according to a poll released last month by Quinnipiac University, 50 percent of Ohio voters support allowing samesex couples to marry; 43 percent are opposed. It’s quite a shift from 2004, when Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to restrict marriage to one man and one woman.