Over 500 companies received perfect scores on the LGBTQ+ index from a top advocacy group.

• The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognized 545 companies with a perfect score on their annual Corporate Equality Index, which assesses U.S. companies' policies for LGBTQ+ equality.
• Both Target and Anheuser-Busch, companies at the center of high-profile protests this year related to LGBTQ+ rights, were scored.
• The heightened tensions for the LGBTQ+ community are reflected in the 2023 survey results.

According to a leading advocacy group, hundreds of companies took a stand for LGBTQ+ equality in a year marked by boycotts, protests, and increased consumer choice.

Over 500 U.S. companies received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's annual Corporate Equality Index, which assesses LGBTQ+ equality policies. Over 600 companies earned at least 90 out of 100 points.

In 2002, only 13 companies received the highest score on the index.

Companies are increasing their efforts towards diversity, equity, and inclusion as they recognize its positive impact on their financial performance and overall success, according to Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. In fact, employees are 4½ times more likely to be attracted to companies that publicly support the LGBTQ+ community.

Robinson stated that consumers are currently twice as likely to shop at a brand that supports the LGBTQ+ community.

The HRC's index ranked companies from to to to as the top earners.

The four key pillars used to score companies were non-discrimination policies, equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ employees and their families, promoting an inclusive culture, and corporate social responsibility.

The HRC broadened the scope of its index to include LGBTQ+ family formation rights, improved transgender-inclusive healthcare, and established gender transition guidelines.

Two companies at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights protests this year, Target and Anheuser-Busch, were both evaluated and received deductions from their scores last year. Target received a 95 this year, while Anheuser-Busch scored a 75. Both companies achieved a perfect 100 in 2022.

During the summer, Target faced incidents of violence and threats related to its Pride merchandise, prompting the retailer to remove certain items. CEO Brian Cornell stated on a media call that there was a significant impact on sales and traffic at some stores in June. However, once the changes were made, the trends normalized.

Robinson stated that [Target] attempted to give the impression that there were two opposing sides in the struggle for equality. However, Robinson emphasized that the experience of this year has taught them repeatedly that equality only has one side.

Sales of Bud Light beer plummeted after conservative criticism of its collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

According to Robinson, confronting a bully often results in them backing down. Therefore, he likes to highlight examples that receive similar attacks to demonstrate this lesson. When the bully continues to attack despite being confronted, the attacks tend to diminish quickly. Additionally, Robinson noted that the consumer's support for the victim can also help to diminish the attacks.

Employee benefits

Robinson stated that social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, received a negative score of 25 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index due to their extremely poor practices.

Under Elon Musk's leadership, Twitter's workplace culture policies have been rolled back, according to Robinson.

The report states that although adding or enhancing employee benefits comes with a financial cost to companies, most employers experience a minimal increase of less than 3.5% in total benefits expenses when they implement partner benefits and transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage.

Offering equitable policies in the workplace is not only beneficial for employees, but also "futureproofs" businesses.

By 2040, the percentage of LGBTQ plus Americans will double in this country, which is not only the right thing to do but also the best thing for your business.

The 2023 survey results were released amidst rising tensions for the LGBTQ+ community, with the HRC foundation declaring a "state of emergency" for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. in June.

In 2023, the LGBTQ+ community faced an unprecedented and dangerous surge of anti-LGBTQ+ legislative attacks in state houses across the country, with over 605 bills being introduced in 41 states and over 220 of those bills specifically targeting the transgender community, particularly trans and nonbinary youth.

Robinson stated that the bar for trans inclusion in the workplace has been raised, particularly in light of the numerous attacks against the trans community across the country.

— CNBC’s Cait Freda contributed to this report.