More Than 500 U.S. Companies Support Passage of Equality Act
Edward Jones photo by Jon Kraft/Shutterstock; REI photo by Eric Glenn/ShutterstockThe number of major U.S. corporations endorsing the Equality Act has risen above 500.The Business Coalition for the Equality Act, organized by the Human Rights Campaign, now has 503 members, HRC announced Tuesday morning.
The coalition had surpassed 400 members last April.New names on the list include Edward Jones, REI, McDonald’s, Honeywell, Harley-Davidson, MetLife, Duke Energy, Sony, Boston Beer Co., Del Monte Foods, and Stop & Shop.“Inclusion and diversity are essential to Honeywell’s success as a global enterprise,” Cheya Dunlap, the company’s chief inclusion and diversity officer, said in an HRC press release. “We support protections for LGBTQ+ individuals under the Equality Act because we believe in the importance of creating a fair work environment built on equality, respect, and achievement.”“Edward Jones is a place of belonging, and our longtime support for the LGBTQ+ community is inherent in our purpose-driven culture,” added Jennifer Kingston, head of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the financial services company. “We’re very proud of the fact that we’ve earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index six years in a row, and we nurture a workplace where all of our associates can be their authentic selves as they pursue their personal growth and possibilities.”“Our co-op and broader society are stronger when everyone — in consideration of their race, gender identity and sexual orientation — can prosper and feel welcome to be their full selves,” commented Wilma Wallace, chief diversity and social impact officer at REI. “REI has long been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and we remain committed to.
