For the fourth year in a row, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has earned a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The annual index, now in its 21st year, is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The perfect score also earned Blue Cross the designation as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.”

Blue Cross joins the ranks of 545 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

“Creating a work environment that fosters empowerment, and celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is core to our business and culture,” said Bukata Hayes, vice president of racial and health equity and chief equity officer at Blue Cross. “We are honored to once again have earned a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index. We continue to strive for the goal of every member of the LGBTQ+ community having the freedom to live their truth without fear, with equality under the law, while feeling safe and loved.”

Promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion at work

One of the many ways Blue Cross promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace is through Blue Pride, a Blue Cross associate resource group (ARG) for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual associates and their allies (LGBTQIA+). The group aims to be a resource for Blue Cross and its associates, contributing to the business’ mission, vision and goals.

“I was thrilled to see that Blue Cross received a perfect Equality Index score again. It’s gratifying to see our work being recognized,” says Randy Holm, Blue Cross talent acquisition consultant and Blue Pride ARG co-chair. “As part of the LGBTQ+ community, I take great pride in working at Blue Cross. This type of recognition allows me to feel more comfortable bringing my authentic self to work.”

Dana Sanders is a service operations supervisor at Blue Cross and serves as Holm’s fellow Blue Pride ARG co-chair.

“Unity in diversity and diversity in unity,” said Sanders. “The two go hand-in-hand. I am proud to advocate, educate, support and celebrate authenticity within our culture at Blue Cross and within our communities, as I am a strong ally to the LGBTQ+ community.”

“I am very proud of the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and racial health equity work I am actively involved in at Blue Cross,” Sanders said.  “Maintaining our perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index is a key source of motivation. It shows that we are on the right path.”

Learn more

More than 1,200 U.S.-based companies were reviewed in this year’s HRC Corporate Equality Index. They were graded on detailed criteria under four central pillars:

• Non-discrimination policies across business entities;
• Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;
• Supporting an inclusive culture; and,
• Corporate social responsibility.

For more on the CEI, visit hrc.org/cei.