9/2/2008 – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation just released its 2009 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and 6 of the 259 major U.S. businesses that scored a top rating of 100 percent are automotive manufacturers. Listed in alphabetical order they are: Chrysler, Ford, GM, Subaru, Toyota and VW.
Subaru, in concert with their long-standing support of the LGBT community, put out a release announcing their standings.
“We are very proud to accept this recognition. Due to the diverse insights, talents and perspectives our employees contribute, we have built a culture that is cohesive in operation, strong at heart and a company where our employees work with pride,” said Tomohiko Ikeda, chairman, president and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. “Together we hope to create a reputation of distinction, service and respect.”
This is Subaru’s second year with a perfect score and the fourth year that they’ve taken part in the CEI.
While one would expect a brand like Subaru to be on the list, many are surprised to see companies from Detroit ranking so highly. Ford, GM and Chrysler all implemented same-sex domestic partner benefits in January 2000 and have remained competitive with each other in terms of workplace equality. Of the three though, GM has been the most progressive lately in terms of its outreach to the LGBT community.
“GM, with its eight U.S. brands, is pleased to continue its long-standing tradition of achieving a perfect HRC score because it’s the equality with which we treat our employees that legitimizes our outreach to LGBT consumers,” said Travis Parman, LBGT Media Relations Manager for GM. “This also supports our LGBT employees’ efforts to be excellent ambassadors of our vehicles and customer service experience.”
Where’s My Brand?
The CEI is a voluntary rating system and as a result, not all manufacturers chose to take part in the ranking. Nissan is the only other automaker included in the index and has a score of 50. Other automotive related companies (and their scores) are: Carmax, Inc. (100), Visteon (100), Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc.(80), Delphi Corp. (45), Cooper Tire & Rubber (33), Dana Holding Corp. (20), Lear Corp. 20.
Gaywheels.com ranks brands as gay-friendly if they offer same-sex domestic partner benefits to their U.S.-based employees. For a listing of the gay-friendly brands, click HERE
The 2009 CEI can be downloaded HERE

About the CEI
The seventh annual CEI rates 583 businesses on a scale from 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. The 2009 edition of the CEI reports 259 businesses achieved a perfect score, a one-third increase over last year when the number was 195. The 259 top-rated businesses collectively employ more than 9 million full-time employees. These workers are protected from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because of their employers’ policies on diversity & inclusion, training, health care, and domestic partnership benefits.