Ben Redgell, Social Media Manager and Co-Leader, OPEN ARG

At BD, we firmly believe that to deliver on our Purpose we must foster an environment centered around inclusion and diversity for our associates and the communities where they live. We believe in and strongly advocate for the basic protections and rights of all people, including the LGBTQ+ community. Since 2017, BD has received a 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, in recognition of our commitment to providing policies, programs and benefits most relevant to LGBTQ+ associates.

As a demonstration of our ongoing support of basic and legal protections to the LGBTQ+ community, we’re proud to join a coalition of more than 300 leading organizations across the country in signing the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) and Freedom for All American’s Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ State Legislation.

The HRC is one of the largest LGBTQ+ and civil rights organizations in the world and strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

“Being who you uniquely are, with equitable opportunities to flourish in the workplace and in our society, is a basic and fundamental right everyone should have,” said Nicole Thompson, vice president, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Engagement. “Inclusion and equity are core tenets of our culture at BD. We encourage our associates to bring their full selves to work every day and support them through our internal policies and programs, external partnerships, and legislative advocacy.”

BD also drives inclusion and equity through its Associate Resource Groups (ARGs). The Company supports its LGBTQ+ associates through the Out and Proud Employee Network (OPEN) ARG. OPEN is a driving force in fostering safety, belonging, and equal rights in our workplace and global communities through education, community service and philanthropic efforts, networking and corporate advocacy.  These activities include:

• Collaborations with, and financial contributions made to, OutRight Action International to help combat violence and discrimination, positively impact communities and further build an equitable society.
• The launch of the Open Resource Center for BD associates – an online repository of curated information, resources and tools, including enhanced Gender Transition Guidelines – developed and designed to support, educate, and encourage LGBTQ+ associates and allies.
• The formation of 10 new OPEN ARG chapters in 2022 that span across North and South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe.

In addition to these efforts, BD recently updated its Global Harassment and Discrimination Policy to include an expanded definition of protected characteristics, including transgender status and gender expression.