RES JOINS BUSINESS COALITION FOR THE EQUALITY ACT IN THE U.S.

The Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Business Coalition for the Equality Act is calling on the Senate to pass the Equality Act into U.S. law, which would provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people across key areas of life  

The 497 member companies that make up the coalition employ over 15.2 million people in the United States, operate in 50 states, and have a combined revenue of $7.2 trillion.

The LGBTQ+ community lacks adequate protections in nearly 30 states across the country. Their rights are also being deliberately infringed on – during 2021 alone, more than 250 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced nationwide.

The goal of HRC, and of the 400+ companies supporting their work, is to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people – and particularly those who are trans, people of colour and HIV+ – are treated as full and equal citizens. The Equality Act coming into law would be an important step forwards in achieving this, providing a federal standard that treats all employees the same.

The Equality Act creates clear, consistent protections to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment – ensuring that the process of recruitment, career development and departure of employees, including LGBTQ+ employees, is based on performance. The bill also provides protections from discrimination for LGBTQ people in housing, credit, and jury service and would prohibit discrimination in public spaces and services, and federal funding on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

John Rohde, CEO Americas at RES, stated: “Organizations have a responsibility to support and advocate for fairness and equality for all, and to do what we can to prevent our employees from facing discrimination. I’m proud that RES is supporting this important initiative from the Human Rights Campaign, which sends a clear message to the Senate that the business community in the United States supports the rights of LGBTQ+ people and that the Equality Act should be passed into law. Our voices are stronger together as a united coalition than as individual organizations, and I sincerely hope we are successful in our mission.”

Feifei Peng, Chair of RES’ LGBTQ+ Affinity Network, stated: “RES’ LGBTQ+ Affinity Network has been vital in bringing RES onboard as part of HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act, particularly the team based in the United States. This is one of five Affinity Networks that were launched earlier this year as an evolution of RES’ Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, bringing together people from across RES who are united in their passion for making our workplace more inclusive and diverse so that RES and every individual here can reach their full potential. All active members of our LGBTQ+ AN should be recognised for their pivotal work in making RES a member of this important business coalition. Thank you all.”