Nine major businesses based in Michigan got top scores for workplace equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender workers. That's according to the 2015 Corporate Equality Index released today by the Human Rights Campaign Fund, a leading national LGBT civil rights organization.
The Detroit 3 automakers were among those ranked highest - along with Kellogg, Steelcase, Whirlpool and Dow Chemical.
"Having business leaders say that we want an inclusive environment not only helps the economy, but it also helps for lawmakers to see that it's not going to hurt business to implement these policies," said Sommer Foster of Equality Michigan, a statewide LGBT advocacy group.
To receive the top score, businesses must prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. And they must offer health insurance that covers health needs of employees' partners - and of transgender employees.
The 2015 Corporate Equality Index rated 781 companies nationwide, 20 of which were in Michigan. Sixteen of the 20 Michigan companies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Foster said these non-discrimination policies are important in Michigan because "we do not have a statewide law."
Below is a table of Michigan-based businesses, furnished by the Human Rights Campaign Fund.
Virginia Gordan, Michigan Radio Newsroom
