“As the world’s largest cybersecurity company, Symantec unequivocally supports everyone’s right to feel safe and secure, including full and equal rights for the global LGBT community. We won't stop developing ways to foster an open and safe environment for all of our employees around the world, and we look forward to the day when we can celebrate genuine inclusion for all[1].” – Symantec Corp.
On Wednesday, May 11th, Symantec hosted Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign, for a roundtable discussion on the current state of LGBT rights in the United States. Specifically, the roundtable took a look at current legislation limiting LGBT rights and North Carolina's controversial HB 2 law that was recently deemed to violate federal civil right laws.
The roundtable included a small group of approximately 20 executives from San Francisco Bay Area companies including VMware, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Oracle, LinkedIn and Qualcomm. Fran Rosch, Executive Vice President, Norton Business Unit represented Symantec, as well as others from Symantec's global diversity and corporate responsibility teams.
Mr. Griffin began with a look back at the legislative developments that lead to the creation and passing of the HB 2 law in North Carolina, which prevents transgender people from using restrooms consistent with their gender identity in public buildings, and doesn't allow cities to pass their own legislation protecting LGBT rights. He discussed the fast passing of the bill and the immediate disapproval by companies and people nationwide.
As the nation's leading LBGT civil rights organization, HRC immediately began awareness and advocacy efforts to overturn HB 2 after its passing. Symantec's VP Corporate Responsibility and Chief Diversity Officer, Cecily Joseph, was one of the first to join a current total of over 200 CEO's and business leaders signing a letter by HRC and Equality North Carolina denouncing the law. The letter was personally delivered by the organizations to North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory's office. Since its passing, the US Federal government has sued the state for a law that violates federal civil rights law, and North Carolina politicians have introduced new anti-discriminatory legislation.
HB2 brings to light that the fight for LGBTQ equality in the United States is far from over. The passing of gay marriage laws has left many with the misconception that we have achieved equality. While significant progress has been made, this is still not true.
For example, while the LGBT community can now legally marry, they can still be discriminated against when buying a home, looking for a job, gaining access to healthcare – solely because of their identity.
Marriage was just the first step, and the recent spate of anti-LGBT state bills that have cropped up demonstrate that in many parts of the US, it’s still legal to discriminate against people on the basis of their gender and sexual identities.
Symantec hosts HRC President Chad Griffin, and a small group of Silicon Valley peers, to discuss the current state of LGBT rights in America.
As a member of the HRC's Global Corporate Coalition a "groundbreaking global coalition committed to advancing LGBT workplace equality around the world" and recognized for the 8th consecutive year on HRC's Corporate Equality Index, we continually strive to be at the forefront of equality for our employees, our industry and the global LGBT community.
We were extremely honored to host HRC and our peers in this dynamic and thought-provoking discussion lead by the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization, HRC.
What can you and your company do to support equality for all?
•Sign up in support of the Equality Act that would close the loopholes states are using to discriminate
•Sign the amicus brief HRC is putting out soon for companies to sign, which states the business case for LGBT inclusion
•Contribute to HRC and other organizations doing the policy advocacy work to overturn discriminatory legislation by states
•Learn more about the trans community and what you can do to be an ally
Markus Achord is Symantec's Manager, Global Diversity & Inclusion