American Airlines proudly announced its achievement of a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a leading survey assessing corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality in the United States. The airline now stands among 545 major U.S. businesses that also secured top marks in the latest index.
Cedric Rockamore, American’s Vice President of Global People Operations, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, expressed pride in the airline's 21-year partnership with the HRC. He highlighted the company's dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both team members and customers, emphasizing American's longstanding commitment to supporting the LGBTQ community.
The 2023-2024 CEI results showcase the efforts of U.S.-based companies in promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies. The CEI, which began with 319 participants, now includes 1,384 companies. Notably, a record-breaking 1,340 businesses provide non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity, covering 21 million employees in the U.S. and globally. American Airlines met all CEI criteria, securing a score of 100 and the prestigious Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.
RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, Human Rights Campaign Sr Director of Workplace Equality, acknowledged the pivotal role businesses play in advancing LGBTQ+ equality. He emphasized the CEI's growth as evidence of the business community's commitment to equity and inclusion. Hawkins noted that, while challenges persist, the CEI serves as a dynamic tool for companies to effectively support their LGBTQ+ employees and families.
The CEI evaluates companies based on four central pillars: non-discrimination policies across business entities, equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families, support for an inclusive culture, and corporate social responsibility. With over 20 million U.S. workers and an additional 18 million outside the U.S. benefiting from these crucial protections, the CEI covers a diverse range of companies, including Fortune magazine’s 500 largest publicly traded businesses, American Lawyer magazine’s top 200 revenue-grossing law firms (AmLaw 200), and numerous publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses.
The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.