Better GBLT at work than in church

A new report on the state of the workplace for LGBT Americans shows that the Fortune 500 is way ahead of churches when it comes to equal rights. In some cases it’s easier to be gay at Chevron than in church on Sunday morning according to Religion Dispatches.


Long before the current recession sparked populist anger against Wall Street and the many businesses that have sacked employees, progressive theologians and religious believers—particularly advocates of unchecked and unregulated capitalism—were suspicious of the motivations of big business. Conservative Christians, on the other hand, often celebrate wealth as evidence of a righteous lifestyle. They even build megachurches that attract members using business models and corporate marketing strategies.

The irony in all of this is that corporate America is arguably the biggest supporter of LGBT rights. In general, gay people are more welcome at work than they are at church.


The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has recently released its annual report on The State of the Workplace for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans which features these statistics:
85% of Fortune 500 companies recognize protections based on sexual orientation for their employees.

57% of these companies offer domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples.

18 companies within the Fortune 100 now offer transgender-inclusive health insurance benefits.

Posted by Ann Fontaine on April 26, 2009 12:11 PM | |
Comments (3)

This is news? (Lord have mercy!)

JC Fisher

Posted by tgflux [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 26, 2009 3:47 PM

News? Maybe yes; maybe no. But it sure isn't new! In Fall 2003 I was begging my church and my fellow congregants to have as much moral courage as my employer. I'm still waiting. :)

Posted by Pat Klemme [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 27, 2009 1:38 AM

It may not be new but it is more evidence that organized religion lags behind the corporate world in treating LGBTs with respect. The problem may be that religion is generally about tradition and maintaining tradition in itself is often seen as a good value. In business the question is money and getting good workers. In the law it is a question of finding a compelling substantive reason for excluding a class of people from certain institutions. In religion, alas, conviction can often mask mere prejudice.

This problem may be why more people feel uncomfortable committing to any particular religious institution.


Gary Paul Gilbert

Posted by garydasein [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 27, 2009 11:19 PM

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