Forum 2017.11.10. Should businesses work to advance the rights of LGBT people broadly, rather than focusing only on their own employees?

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About this debate

http://debates.economist.com/debates/archive

Should businesses work to advance the rights of LGBT people broadly, rather than focusing only on their own employees?

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More and more companies are adopting policies that recognise the rights of their LGBT staff members, even when doing so puts the companies at odds with the laws of some of the countries where they do business. Do companies have a responsibility to fight LGBT discrimination in society more broadly, and in the statute books? Businesses pressure governments for all sorts of reform: they lobby over tax, skills and regulation—but also matters of human rights, such as diversity. Some stopped trading with South Africa during apartheid.

Cautious companies feel that campaigning for LGBT rights would bring them too much controversy. Is lobbying for LGBT rights properly the job of businesses? Should the argument for broad rights for LGBT people be made by activist groups and individuals who seek to reform the state, with businesses focusing on the issue only internally, or when there is a direct business case? Should companies stay out of the wider debate?

Hundreds of business leaders and policymakers will assemble in Hong Kong, London and New York on March 3rd to consider this question. At the Pride and Prejudice conference (organised by The Economist), discussion will focus on the economic and business costs of LGBT discrimination and the profitable opportunities that lie in overcoming it. Speakers include Ivan Gazidis, chief executive of Arsenal Football Club; Alan Joyce, chief executive of Qantas; and Jamie Moldafsky, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer of Wells Fargo & Company.

Further Reading

From The Economist

Let them wed, Jan 4th 1996

There is no compelling reason to exclude homosexual couples from marriage, and several compelling reasons to include them

Fifty shades of pink, Jul 6th 2013

Some countries consider gay marriage, but elsewhere attitudes harden

Right cause, wrong battle, Apr 12th 2014

Why the World Bank’s focus on gay rights is misguided

The gay divide, Oct 11th 2014

Victories for gay rights in some parts of the world have provoked a backlash elsewhere

Out at the top, Nov 8th 2014

Apple’s boss has left the closet, but being gay at work is still a struggle

Diversification strategy, Jan 13th 2015

Sexual minorities at business schools

Workplace discrimination, Jul 22nd 2015

Employees can’t be sacked for being gay

From the Pride & Prejudice hub

T time: Rethinking Best Practice for Transgender Employees, February 2016

Promoting LGBT rights in hostile places: It’s a jungle out there, January 2016

Diversity in Silicon Valley: A flap over Twitter, January 2016

Reports on the role of business in LGBT rights

LGBT diversity: Show Me The Business Case, from OutNow, November 2015

Open for Business: a report from a coalition of 14 global companies, September 2015

The Cost of the Closet and the Rewards of Inclusion, May 2014