Currently Salt Lake City and 11 localities in Utah have adopted policies that prevent discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment. Senator Ben McAdams (D- Salt Lake City) has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would make discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the realm of employment or housing illegal. Passage of the bill would create a state law preventing this discrimination, reinforcing and expanding the work accomplished at the local level in Utah.
What makes this anti-discrimination bill even more remarkable is the vocal support from the large business community in Utah. Tim Sullivan, the president and CEO of Ancestry.com, has said that Utah will be better able to attract employees if it solidifies its image as a state with inclusive business practices. Both eBay and 1-800 Contacts representatives have also expressed support for the bill based on its potential economic impact. By assuring LGBT employees and job candidates that Utah’s business environment operates by a standard of respect and inclusion of all people, the state will attract them and benefit from their human capital.
Although Bmoreinclusive regards smaller businesses are the engines of positive change in communities, many larger companies and corporations exemplify inclusive business practices. According to the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index of 2012, 86% of Fortune 500 companies protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, while 50% protect against discrimination based on gender identity – up from just 3% in 2002. Regardless of whether support originates with small businesses or multinational corporations, the progressive rise of inclusion of LGBT workers in businesses constitutes a trend toward a more inclusive national economy and national character.
Bmoreinclusive 