Seven Florida companies score 100 percent on LGBT group HRC’s latest equality index

Seven Florida companies have received perfect scores on the annual Corporate Equality Index 2015 by Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT rights group.

The seven Florida companies, each with a 100 percent rating: Akerman LLP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, Darden Restaurants, Holland & Knight LLP, Office Depot and Tech Data Corp.

“Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries are born from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences,” Akerman Chairman and CEO Andrew Smulian said in a statement posted Wednesday on the Miami law firm’s website. “We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment enriched by our people, our clients, and the communities in which we practice.”

HRC ranks companies based upon five main criteria, according to the Washington, D.C.-based LGBT rights group:

▪ Non-discrimination policies

▪ Employment benefits

▪ Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBT diversity and inclusion

▪ Public commitment to LGBT equality

▪ Responsible citizenship

“When it comes to LGBT equality, Corporate America is a leader, not a follower,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a news release on Wednesday. “At every turn, from advocating for marriage equality to providing vital support for transgender employees, this country’s leading companies have asked, ‘what more can we do?,’ and they’ve worked tirelessly to achieve new progress. That kind of leadership changes countless lives around this country, and sets an important example to other companies around the globe.”

In the news release, HRC said that Corporate America “has led the way on LGBT inclusion for more than a decade.”

This year, HRC ranked 781 companies, up from 734 in the previous report.

This story was originally published November 19, 2014 at 9:04 AM with the headline "Seven Florida companies score 100 percent on LGBT group HRC’s latest equality index."