Sign Up for email alerts



Business Support for LGBT Equality Under the Law

Across the United States, businesses have stepped forward to support basic protections at the local, state and federal levels for LGBT workers and their families, particularly laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation and laws that positively recognize same-sex couples. They've also stepped forward to oppose discriminatory laws that would deny same-sex couples basic rights.

The Human Rights Campaign is seeking support from U.S. employers for the following pieces of workplace-specific federal legislation:

Businesses can also support the legal recognition of same-sex couples under local, state and federal law:

Build the Business Case

When advocating for businesses to support legislation that impacts LGBT employees, keep in mind the business rationales and be prepared for how your requests may be received:

  • Think about where you have friends or colleagues in influential places (i.e., a chief executive officer, managing partner, chief operating officer or human resources director). If you do not have influential contacts in a business, discuss the legislation with your supervisor, colleague or friend that does.
  • Develop a short set of talking points related to the legislation you want the business to support. Include:
    • A historical overview of the bill
    • An explanation of why the legislation is crucial to workplace fairness and beneficial to businesses
    • Straightforward perspective on the legislation’s impact on the business (financial, etc)
    • A list of current bill sponsors and the bill's current status
  • Focus on the benefit to the business and to the people you plan to speak to.  Research relevant policies, benefits and practices of the business.
    • Recruitment and retention
    • Reputation and marketing

Build Support

  • Initial contact with a colleague or corporate executive about the legislation should encourage the listener to request more detailed information. 
  • Make yourself available to answer questions or talk through challenges. Ask whether you can follow up with more information. 
  • Ask your friends and colleagues to try this strategy or mobilize your LGBT employee resource group. Make it easy by sending them an e-mail that explains all of the points above and includes any documentation they might need (support forms, sample letters of support to legislators, business case presentations, etc.).
  • Many businesses say they do not endorse legislation, but they typically make exceptions when the proposed legislation affects their industry. Remind leaders that the legislation affects every industry because it affects all employees across the United States.
  • Remain persistent and respectful.

Secure the Endorsement

  • When a business agrees to support legislation, make sure a representative of the business faxes the completed form or letter of support to you and to the HRC Workplace Project at 866-369-3348. This will help you follow its progress and to follow up with those who have verbally committed.
  • Stay in touch with the Human Rights Campaign. When you succeed, report your results to workplace@hrc.org.