We’re thrilled to announce that for the fourth consecutive year, BD has earned a spot on The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality list. Each year we have received a perfect score (100%) on the organization’s Corporate Equality Index, which measures whether policies and practices promote workforce equality for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) associates.

The HRC is one of the largest LGBTQ and civil rights organizations in the world, and its index is a rigorous assessment of policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ associates, including workforce protections, inclusive benefits, internal training and community engagement.

We’re particularly proud of this year’s achievement given that we are continuing, and accelerating, inclusion and diversity initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will not waiver in our commitment to our LGBTQ associates or community, because inclusive policies are critical to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. It also creates an environment where our associates can bring their best, true selves to work, helping us to be more innovative and deliver better outcomes for our global marketplace.

For more on BD’s commitment to LGBTQ equality and how we’ve continued to advance our mission this past year, I’ve invited Jonathan Crutchley, co-lead of our LGBTQ Associate Resource Group (ARG), OPEN (Out and Proud Employee Network), to share his reflections:

Johnel: What is OPEN’S mission, and how are members engaging BD associates and the community?

Jonathan: OPEN is a leading force in embracing and inspiring the LGBTQ community. We help associates thrive both in the workplace through education, celebratory events, opportunity and acceptance, and outside the workplace through acts of service and corporate advocacy. With active chapters in more than 20 BD locations in the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia and South America, we help extend BD’s reach into the community through involvement in locally organized Pride parades and other inclusive programs. By acting locally and reaching globally, we demonstrate our commitment to civil and human rights and support BD’s mission to make cultural diversity an asset.

Johnel: What advocacy efforts are we undertaking and how do they drive inclusion?

Jonathan: As an organization, we continue to make strides towards equality by collaborating with LGBTQ-inclusive organizations that aim to make our communities more welcoming to all. BD is proud to endorse the United Nations Standards of Conduct that support the business community in tackling discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex people. These standards take the case for corporate engagement a step further by pointing to the many opportunities that companies have to enact positive social change in the communities where they do business.

As a result of this relationship, BD joined OPEN for Business, a global organization focused on building consensus amongst the business community that anti-LGBT+ policies run counter to the interests of business and economic development. This relationship allows BD to network with its members to help create advocates globally, and at a local level, to construct and promote unique research perspectives on the economic and business case for LGBT+ inclusion; catalyze a collective voice on LGBT+ inclusion from the global business community; and facilitate local networks of senior business leaders to advance LGBT+ inclusion.

Additionally, BD celebrated the landmark Supreme Court Title VII ruling that protects LGBT workers in the U.S. from workplace discrimination, and we are also a member of the HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act, which advocates for to the passage of federal legislation that would add clear non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity across key areas of life.

As a global ARG, we continue to focus our efforts in further supporting our associates around the world. While some countries have passed legislation at the federal level that includes full-fledged legal recognition for LGBT+ couples, such as marriage, adoption, inheritance and insurance rights, to date more than 70 countries worldwide still criminalize same-sex relations, transgender identity and LGBT+ people.

Johnel: How did OPEN adapt its strategy during the pandemic to support its members and the community in new ways?

Jonathan: Much like many of our other ARGs, OPEN was faced with the challenge of participating in events that could no longer be held in-person. To honor the commitments we had made and continue to make an impact in the community, we partnered with various organizations to identify ways to participate in career fairs and PRIDE events virtually.

We also expanded our commitment to the LGBTQ community through our participation in LGBTQ-focused recruiting programs such as Out for Undergrads, ROMBA (Reaching Out MBA) and Lesbians who Tech, which help us access incredible talent who value our commitment to inclusion and diversity.