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| Retailing giant Wal-Mart has increased its positive score in this year’s HRC buying guide by creating a gay employee group and making donations to gay causes. (Photo Morry Gash/AP) |
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HOME > ENTERTAINMENT > FEATURE
By: ZACK HUDSON COMMENTS
 
Retailing giant Wal-Mart, considered a cornerstone of many “red state” communities, has improved its gay-friendly ranking in the Human Rights Campaign’s second annual “Buying for Equality” guide, which helps gay consumers make informed decisions about where to spend money.
Wal-Mart rose seven points from last year, scoring a 65 rating — not a glowing review but an improvement nonetheless. The guide rates big businesses on a scale of one to 100, based on how the companies treat their gay customers and employees
This year, the company joined the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, a move criticized by some conservative religious groups. Wal-Mart has also changed its definition of immediate family to include members of domestic partnerships and civil unions and the company has a gay employee group called “Pride in Wal-Mart.”
HRC comes up with its guide by conducting a survey of the 150 largest businesses in the country and assigning scores based on what kind of domestic partnership and trans policies are in place, whether or not the company gives money to gay organizations, if its advertising is “appropriate and respectful” and whether the company has been sued for anti-gay practices.
“We raised the bar this year,” says HRC workplace project director Daryl Herrschaft. “There were more 100s this year in spite of the fact that it got harder to receive this score. More companies are participating, and we can continue to show that we appreciate the ones that are listening and treating us fairly by giving them our dollars this holiday season.”
Below are some other companies listed in this year’s Buying for Equality Guide. The complete 2007 “Buying For Equality” can be found at www.hrc.org.
Naughty: Newell Rubbermaid
HRC score: 40
While addressing your holiday gift cards this year, HRC suggests avoiding such name brand mainstays as Sharpie, Uni-Ball, Liquid-Paper and Rolodex. All are owned by Newell Rubbermaid. Though HRC representative Eric Bloem says that the company has made progress on gay issues, he says Rubbermaid lacks diversity training, proper benefits for transgender employees, and has not given back to the community in terms of philanthropic events or gay-targeted marketing.
Nice: S.C. Johnson
HRC score: 100
If you’re helping your friends clean up from their holiday bash, “Buying For Equality” says that S.C. Johnson has the gay-friendly products to help you on your merry way. The company markets Glade, Shout and Drano, among others.
trong>Naughty: Hasbro
HRC score: 65
Though the company behind such childhood favorites as Candy Land, Connect Four, Mr. Potato Head and Twister may seem innocuous enough, HRC’s score puts it in the category of holiday offenders. The company lost points for not having a gender identity and expression non-discrimination policy, HRC said. Hasbro also does not extend its employee health benefits to domestic partners and dependants.
Nice: Mattel
HRC score: 100
“Buying For Equality” gives the toy company a perfect score, showing that Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl and Barbie are safe bets for the tyke in your life.
trong>Naughty: Blockbuster
HRC score: 60
They can end late fees all they want, but it doesn’t change HRC’s low score to Blockbuster on the equality index. Blockbuster lost points for not including transgender employees in its non-discrimination policies or sponsoring transgender wellness benefits or diversity training, according to HRC.
Nice: Viacom
HRC score: 100
Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VH-1 and, obviously, Logo are all among the cable channels owned by HRC-approved media chain Viacom. MTV, Showtime, CBS and BET are too, so according to the shopping guide you can buy that “Laguna Beach” or “Weeds” DVD you’ve been jonesing for all month.
trong>Naughty: Amazon
HRC score: 65
For all the gay product categories that it features, online warehouse Amazon has only garnered a 65 rating. In addition to inadequate transgender benefits and non-discrimination policies, the company lacks gay-inclusive marketing efforts and fails to sponsor philanthropic events for the gay community, according to HRC.
Nice: Borders
HRC score: 95
HRC recommends settling down in a Borders comfy chair with a scone and a good book, because the mega-bookseller rates a near-perfect score in the 2007 edition of “Buying for Equality.” If you’re not sure what to buy from the store’s GLBT section, a gift card will also suffice.
trong>Naughty: Northwest Air
HRC score: 65
The world’s sixth largest airline, Northwest Air, barely managed a cruising altitude in the lower middle of the HRC’s Equality Index. The airline lost points for lacking trans discrimination ...
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