Comptroller Pushes Big Corporations to Protect LGBT Employees

Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. called on two dozen of America’s largest companies to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. and the New York City Pension Funds on Jan 29 called on two dozen of America’s largest companies to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The unprecedented effort targets nearly twice as many corporations, most of which are in the Fortune 500, as in the previous proxy season.

A leading contender for the Democratic mayoral nomination in 2009, Thompson announced measures during a press conference at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in the West Village. The resolutions call for companies that have not already done so to revise their policies to forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Thompson, a trustee of the five Pension Funds along with elected officials such as the Mayor, also holds managerial authority over the funds that provide for municipal servants, police, firefighters, teachers and education administrators. Currently, the five Pension Funds have more than $110 billion in holdings.

Already in response to this latest call, five companies have adopted the city’s request to improve their policies for LGBT employees. The Comptroller’s Office has since withdrawn those resolutions.


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