LGBT Organizations Champion the Link Between Purchasing Power and Companies’ Embrace of Equality

2 DECEMBER 3, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 3, 2015 3 EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Randy Shulman DECEMBER 3, 2015 ART DIRECTOR Volume 22 / Issue 31 Todd Franson MANAGING EDITOR Rhuaridh Marr SENIOR EDITOR NEWS 6 Money Talks John Riley by John Riley CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Doug Rule 8 separaTe and UneqUal by John Riley SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim SCENE 11 nGlCC’s naTional dinner CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR photography by Ward Morrison Scott G. Brooks CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 12 CoMMUniTy Calendar Gordon Ashenhurst, Sean Bugg, Connor J. Hogan, Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield WEBMASTER David Uy FEATURES 17 douglas sills Interview by Doug Rule PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Julian Vankim 22 reopeninG of The renwiCk by Connor J. Hogan SALES & MARKETING PUBLISHER Randy Shulman OUT ON THE TOWN 26 Cheryl wheeler BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETING Christopher Cunetto by Tim Rosenberger Cunetto Creative 28 The China naTional NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media Co. 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NewsLGBT Capital Pride pledges $1K to Rainbow History WEEKLY METRO Money Talks LGBT organizations champion the link between purchasing power and companies’ embrace of equality by John Riley HE DOLLAR IS JUST AS STRONG AS A VOTE AT out one powerful example: Many major companies flexed the ballot box these days,” says Jonathan Lovitz, their political muscle to resist Indiana’s Religious Freedom vice president of external affairs at the National Restoration Act, which was criticized for condoning potential Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. “You have discrimination against LGBT people. Trights on paper in the name of equality, but your equity is your In recent years, embracing equality measures or being seen economic power. as tolerant and accepting of diversity has become a marketable “So even if it’s just a few dollars spent on stocking-stuffers, trait. Companies can distinguish themselves from competitors, investing that money in pro-LGBT companies, and people who while at the same time appealing to a wider swath of potential support diversity and inclusion, is a powerful statement. You’re customers. But this hasn’t always been the case, even as recently using every cent to make a difference.” as 20 years ago, says Selisse Berry, the founder and CEO of Out Consumers are becoming savvier when it comes to spend- & Equal Workplace Advocates, an organization that promotes ing their hard-earned dollars, particularly as the holiday season policies to create safe and fair workplace environments for approaches. By frequenting stores with pro-LGBT reputations, LGBT employees. equality-minded consumers of all types can pressure companies “When I started, only 5 percent of Fortune 500 companies to use their influence outside of simple commerce. Lovitz points included sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination policies. 6 DECEMBER 3, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 3, 2015 7 LGBTNews Now, that number is closer to 94, 95 percent,” Berry recalls. Deena Fidas, director of HRC Foundation’s Workplace “People really weren’t talking about gender identity at the Equality Program, notes that the LGBT community’s purchas- time, and now, about 54 to 55 percent include gender identity ing power in the United States is estimated to be about $900 in their EEO or nondiscrimination policy as well. Companies billion — an enticing figure for companies that wish to tap understand that LGBT equality is just good for business, and into potential sources of revenue. But she also notes that many discrimination is not good for business.” companies see supporting the LGBT community not just as What’s more, there has been an evolution in companies’ will- a gimmick to appeal to a niche market, but as a policy that ingness to be more vocal in their support of things like nondis- benefits their brand across all markets. For instance, she says, crimination policies, spousal benefits, or sponsorships of major many straight allies of the LGBT community wish to frequent or LGBT-centric events like Pride. Berry attributes this change in spend their money at businesses that they know are not engag- attitude to the efforts of various LGBT organizations, including ing in or condoning discrimination. her own, which hosts a yearly summit to educate employers “Well beyond just adopting policies, you see — quite liter- about fostering an LGBT-supportive workplace environment ally — hundreds of businesses weighing in on LGBT public and the benefits it can bring to the company. When corporate policy,” says Fidas. “Businesses are not shrinking back from leaders realized that their competitors were gaining an advan- being LGBT-inclusive. Far from wanting to be in the shadows, tage by embracing pro-equality policies, they began to recognize or simply quietly deal with being LGBT-inclusive, they see it as they could profit — both financially and in terms of branding or the right thing to do. They see speaking out on matters of equal- reputation — from adopting a similar stance. ity as the right things to do, and also smart for their business.” “In the very beginning, we had a number of companies who Fidas also says the timing of the HRC guide is ideal not only said they’d support us because their employees were really com- for consumers, but for companies who wish to improve their mitted to the cause. And they were committed, but they didn’t rating or learn more about implementing LGBT-friendly policies want anyone else to know,” Berry says. “Obviously, now, I don’t — something HRC can assist them with in developing. The next think we have any closeted sponsors any more. People want to CEI is slated to be released in April 2016, giving those who wish say they’re supportive. Companies are out there, and hoping to improve their standing a few months to begin making changes. you’ll notice.” From a consumer standpoint, resources like the Buying for One way of being noticed has been by getting listed as an Workplace Equality guide can better inform their purchasing LGBT-supportive business by the Human Rights Campaign’s decisions. NGLCC’s Lovitz also recommends that LGBT cus- (HRC) Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which rates businesses tomers do their research before making a purchase, to find and on their LGBT-inclusive workplace policies and practices, as frequent businesses that use LGBT-owned suppliers of goods well as any engagement on public policy. Released annually and services to stock their shelves. That way, he says, the money since 2002, a good CEI score is often touted by businesses as spent by equality-minded consumers will eventually circle back evidence of their commitment to equality. to the LGBT community. Last week, ahead of Black Friday, HRC released its annual “At the same time that you’re looking on the price tag for Buying for Workplace Equality guide, which divides companies the red sticker that says ‘This is a sale,’ also look for the sticker into three separate categories based on their CEI score and that says we’re an NGLCC corporate partner, or even better, [an other data on workplace policies. The top scores, which fall into NGLCC] Certified Business Enterprise,” says Lovitz. “It takes a the “green” category, indicate a demonstrated commitment to little bit of time to do your homework and go online, but social equality, with “yellow” scores given to those making progress, media is your best asset these days, to make sure you and your and “red” scores given to those companies lagging behind or family and friends are shopping at the businesses and buying the who refused to answer the surveys on which the CEI is based. brands that have our community’s back.” l Separate and Unequal A mother’s struggle as the local school district bars her trans children from restrooms by John Riley T’S BEEN A TRYING COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR public school thanks to a new policy adopted by the Marionville, Heidi Owens. The mother of five has a 10-year-old trans- Mo., school district. It requires transgender childroom to either gender daughter, DeeDee, and a nine-year-old trans- use the restroom of their biological sex, or use a unisex bath- gender son, Karri, both of whom are being targeted by room near the nurse’s office. discriminatoryI policies at school. Born prematurely, DeeDee has digestive problems that make “My daughter is coming home crying, not understanding it difficult for her to make it to the private unisex bathroom.

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