Google, Microsoft and AT&T are
among the dozen companies backing an initiative to advance LGBT
workplace equality around the world.
Former President Bill Clinton announced
the new initiative during the closing plenary of the 2015 Clinton
Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting in New York.
According to the Human Rights Campaign
(HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate, the inaugural
members collectively employ nearly 1.4 million people across more
than 190 counties.
“We are proud to bring together some
of the world's largest companies to advance LGBT equality around the
globe,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “These corporate
leaders, which employ 1.4 million employees worldwide, understand
that equality, inclusion and engagement are pivotal to business
success.”
“Today, they are sending a resounding
message that LGBT people are valued, they are equal, and they deserve
a fair chance to earn a living and provide for their families no
matter where they live,” he added.
“If countries and cities want to have
economic development, they have to rise to a level of tolerance that
enables them to have the kind of diverse dialogue that creates
innovation,” Claudia Brind-Woody, managing director for Global
Intellectual Property Licensing at IBM, said in a statement.
Founding members of HRC's Global
Corporate Coalition also include CA Technologies, The Coca-Cola
Company, Destination Weddings Travel Group, IBM, Mitchell Gold + Bob
Williams, Procter & Gamble, Replacements, Ltd., and Symantec
Corp.