Some companies like the now infamous Chik-Fil-A aren’t exactly the best places for the queer among us to work. But every person deserves equality in the workplace despite his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. In order to help out our LGBTQ+ friends and supporters, we’ve put together a list of the most LGBTQ+ friendly places to work. These companies are known for inclusivity and ensuring the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals.
1. Apple
Apple has proven its support of LGBTQ+ rights on multiple occasions. After the Defense of Marriage Act repeal in 2013, Apple released a statement saying, “Apple strongly supports marriage equality and we consider it a civil rights issue. We applaud the Supreme Court for its decisions today.”
In addition, Apple was among the 85 companies in 2011 whose insurance plans for employees covered gender reassignment surgery. We know the company’s employees are treated equally because CEO Tim Cook came out as gay in 2014.
2. Target
In 2012, Target revealed that 100 percent of the purchase price of any of its Pride merchandise would be donated to the pro-LGBT Family Equality Council. They also use gay pride in their advertisements like the one above and a commercial they released in 2014, featuring a gay couple painting with a child, to reiterate their support of the LGBTQ+ community.
3. Cosmopolitan
According to our team member Madison Fraser, a junior at New York University, Cosmopolitan can be added to the list. “I worked at Cosmopolitan.com, and it was extremely LGBTQ+ friendly!” she says. “There are a few editors there who are gay, bi, etc.” LGBTQ+ employees help create a safe and positive environment. The company also posts a lot of LGBTQ+ content, including this piece about the legalization of gay marriage nation-wide.
4. Amazon
In 2012, Amazon donated $2.5 million to help pass a same-sex marriage referendum in Washington State, which made the company one of the largest financial backers of gay marriage rights in the U.S. In 2013, Amazon continued their support by releasing a touching ad for the Kindle Paperwhite, which includes a gay couple. By using homosexuality in their marketing, Amazon further demonstrated its support for the LGBTQ+ community.
5. Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s is a long-time supporter of human rights, including marriage equality. They even have flavors named in support of gay marriage including “Apple-y Ever After,” “Hubby Hubby” and the most recent in honor of the nation-wide gay marriage legalization, “I Dough, I Dough.”
6. Ford
Ford is a huge supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. The company offered to give up to $1,000 to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation for every Jaguar and Land Rover it sold to a member of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has sponsored Pride celebrations and has advertised in gay-oriented publications. Go Ford!
7. Expedia
Expedia is another company that has used LGBTQ+ support in advertising. In 2012, they released a commercial that includes a father attending his lesbian daughter’s wedding. The advertisement not only voices Expedia’s support of the LGBTQ+ community, but also encourages other parents to support their children, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
8. Banana Republic
The picture above alone should help you understand that Banana Republic is a very LGBTQ+ friendly place to work. They used their clothes and the Human Rights equality logo to show their support of the DOMA repeal. We approve!
9. General Mills
General Mills is a long-time supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. This video released in 2013 goes to show how much Betty Crocker (and General Mills) care about the support and pride of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. The company’s insurance also covers gender reassignment surgery.
10. Absolut
Absolut is definitely an LGBTQ+ friendly place to work. The advertisement above, in addition to others, shows the company’s support of the LGBTQ+ community. We love their recent Twitter reaction to gay marriage legalization across the U.S.
Finally! #LoveIsLove #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/DzAkBLLsJL
— Absolut (@absolutvodka) June 26, 2015
11. Budweiser
Budweiser produced this image for Bud Light in support of the Human Rights Campaign’s equality logo. They have also had floats in various Gay Pride parades and posted a celebratory tweet after the recent legalization of gay marriage throughout the country.
#LoveWins pic.twitter.com/FRutTX6gGp
— Budweiser (@Budweiser) June 26, 2015
12. Nike
Not only did Nike release a statement sharing their support of the DOMA repeal, but they also launched a pro-LGBTQ+ line of shoes and clothes called the #BETRUE collection. Now that’s support.
13. Google
Google is a huge supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, and has no problem showing it. The company has participated in multiple Pride parades, put rainbow Os on its Google signs, and changed its search bar to a rainbow whenever an LGBTQ+ term is searched.
14. Starbucks
If you haven’t already recognized Starbucks’ LGBTQ+ friendliness, the fact that they flew the Pride Flag over their headquarters should do it. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has also spoken out about the company’s support of LGBTQ+ rights.
15. MasterCard
MasterCard has shown its LGBTQ+ friendliness through advertising and the #AcceptanceMatters campaign. They also tweeted this heart-warming video after the legalization of gay marriage in the U.S. Your credit card isn’t the only thing that will be accepted here!
16. Microsoft
Microsoft is also among the companies that supported the DOMA repeal, and released a statement solidifying its support of diversity and equality in its offices. “Today’s decision turns the page on a law that made it more difficult for us to treat all of our employees, regardless of sexual orientation, equally,” the statement said. “Microsoft joined dozens of corporations, organizations and governments in support of the challenge to DOMA because of the significant costs and administrative burdens it imposed on employers and because it interfered with our efforts to promote diversity and equal opportunity in the workplace.” Keep these statements coming! Microsoft also used their colorful Lumia smartphones to show ther approval of the recent Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage.
Wear it with pride. #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/xQWdSym1Hh
— Lumia (@Lumia) June 26, 2015
17. Your school!
Colleges are full of young people, and are usually great places to start if you’re looking for somewhere LGBTQ+ friendly. Kaitlyn Tissington-Turner, a senior at the University of British Columbia, shares, “Speaking as a student at my university who has been a representative of UBC in many positions, I would argue that my, as well as many other, university(ies) are great places for working with people who are thinking about and engaging with and working to better the experiences of LGBTQ+ folks who attend their institutions.” If your college isn’t LGBTQ+ friendly yet, be the change! Why not start a club or organization for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community to spread awareness?
Don’t stress about finding somewhere to work that is LGBTQ+ friendly. These companies among so many others (including Her Campus!) are extremely supportive and accepting, no matter your sexual orientation or gender identity. Don’t work anywhere you don’t feel comfortable, and if someone is treating you unfairly, speak up! We all deserve respect, safety and acceptance in the workplace—and in our lives.