GLAAD’s Recommendations for Corporate Allies were developed to educate business leaders about best practices around engaging with the LGBTQ community.
“Corporate accountability does not begin and end with employee benefits and hiring practices – it extends to how a corporation spends its dollars, philanthropic and political. It extends to how a corporation takes public stands and lobbies against anti-LGBTQ legislation, and how it supports and lobbies for pro-LGBTQ legislation, because this legislation impacts LGBTQ employees and consumers,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.
“Corporations have a growing influence, and also a growing responsibility. The business community’s support for key moments in the fight for LGBTQ equality, including marriage equality in the U.S., and for increased LGBTQ inclusion in many workplace policies was critical to advancing those issues, but as Pride marketing campaigns begin, we need to remind corporates what true allyship is all about,” said Ellis. “As our community faces unprecedented attacks, more than 200 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced this year and LGBTQ youth are in a mental health crisis, corporate allyship can have a real impact and is more important than ever.”
GLAAD’s Recommendations for Corporate Allies includes best practices for brands’ work during and outside of June, LGBTQ Pride Month. Recommendations include:
- Don’t market to the moment, join the movement: Give back to LGBTQ advocacy and direct service non-profits. Involve LGBTQ employees in dediding the causes and organizations to support and include state and local organizations, as well as non-profit organizations led by and serving transgender people and LGBTQ people of color.
- Feature more LGBTQ talent and community members in external mainstream and community specific campaigns and programming. Compensate LGBTQ talent for appearances, panels, both internal and external facing at corporate events or panels and for promotion of your LGBTQ inclusivity campaigns.
- Extend support to the political fight. True corporate allies do not donate to candidates or elected officials who introduce, vote yes, or otherwise support anti-LBGTQ legislation or block passage of pro-LGBTQ legislation like the Equality Act. Develop criteria to vet elected officials and political donations by evaluating candidate platforms and LGBTQ voting records.
- Use your company’s leverage and internal resources, including social media, marketing, public relations and government affairs office, to speak out against local and national anti-LGBTQ legislation and engage other businesses to do the same. Speak out and support pro-LGBTQ legislation when proposed.
- Support the notion of Pride 365 and plan LGBTQ-inclusive campaigns and support for the community year-round, not just during Pride month.
“The journey to true allyship for LGBTQ people is not always easy, but it is always important,” said Ellis. “We look forward to seeing more and more corporations step up their game and put GLAAD’s Recommendations for Corporate Allies to good use.”
