WorldNetDaily (WND) reminded us of the latest capitulations in the corporate world to the powerful homosexual dollar: "America's pro-homosexual giants: 2006 List of companies scoring perfect 100 percent from 'gay'-rights group" (Sept. 20, 2006). At first glance, the growing list of pro-GLBT companies appears to be all bad news. But look more carefully: The boycott begun by American Family Association after Ford's latest obscenities has had a huge effect! (More on that below.)
Another hopeful aspect is our belief that the GLBT movement is blundering in their push for "transgender" or "transsexual" benefits or "rights" in the workplace. The "Human Rights Campaign" (HRC) -- source of the list -- awards its perfect 100% GLBT score only if a company includes "health" benefits for "trans" workers. But what this actually means is shocking: hormone treatments, surgeries, and therapy for employees who are "transitioning" while on the job! (And think of how paychecks for normal employees are reduced when these benefits sap a company's resources.) From Bay Windows, Sept. 21, 2006:
The [HRC] index rates companies on a range of policies, from the existence of nondiscrimination protections and diversity training around sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to the provision of health insurance benefits for domestic partners to corporate investment in pro- or anti-LGBT causes. ... there has been a particular increase in protections for transgender employees, with a 75 percent increase in companies providing non-discrimination protections based on gender identity and expression. The index also found 67 companies that provide a full range of health benefits to transgender employees, including coverage for surgery, hormones, and therapy.
Maria Ferris, director of global workforce diversity programs at IBM, one of the companies with a perfect score, said transgender employees at IBM can get access to full healthcare services, including surgery, to transition on the job. Employees can choose from a menu of different health plans, and at least one in each state covers surgery.
Here's WorldNetDaily's summary of the big changes in the list: Corporate America gets 'gay'-friendlier: Biggest names in U.S. business applauded for promoting alternative sexual lifestyles. Note that Ford has suffered major losses over the past year:
A one-year boycott of Ford was announced last winter by the after the group said Ford reneged on a promise to remain neutral on such social issues as homosexuality.
Just a few weeks later, Bill Ford, chairman and CEO at the time, said the company had met with leaders of homosexual organizations and had made "a historical commitment … that I intend to carry forward" by promising to value all people, regardless of sexual orientation.
Several dozen conservative and Christian organizations joined in the AFA effort. Then last week Ford announced buyouts were being offered to an estimated 75,000 workers, some plants were being closed and that the company did not expect to see a profit for several more years. The company's corporate network includes Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston-Martin vehicles.
