Lexington-based Lexmark International allows employees to join networking groups like the Gay/Straight Alliance of Lexmark Employees.
Lexmark is also among the growing list of companies who offer benefits to partners of gay and lesbian employees.
“Diversity
in all of its definitions continues to be a key focus in our
recruitment efforts,” Lexmark spokesman Tim Fitzpatrick said in a
statement. “(It is) also a consideration in succession planning because
we recognize diversity as a strength that will help us compete more
effectively in a global marketplace.”Several cities in the state,
including Lexington and Louisville, have adopted fairness ordinances
that protect gays from discrimination. An attempt to add a
constitutional amendment that would overturn the ordinances was shot
down in the state Senate.Gary Gates, a researcher for the
sexual-orientation policy group Williams Institute at UCLA, said U.S.
corporations are showing more interest in diversity and tolerance.”If
you believe that the market is what rules in this world, all the trends
in corporate America say that increasing amounts of policies that
promote diversity are good for the bottom line,” Gates said.