Corporations Get Graded By HRC

Several Florida corporations received high marks on the Human Rights Campaign's 2017 Corporate Equality Index.

And several Florida corporations received low marks.

Let's start at the top. The following Florida companies received 100 percent scores, earning HRC's distinction of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality":

Harris Corp., Melbourne, Citrix Systems, Inc., Tech Data Corp., Clearwater, Ultimate Software Group Inc., Weston, Darden Restaurants, Inc., Orlando, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Inc., Jacksonville, Akerman LLP, Miami, Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, Tampa, Holland & Knight LLP, Brandon, Office Depot, Inc., Boca Raton, Carnival Corp., Miami, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Miami.

Edward Jones, a financial services firm headquartered in St. Louis, also received a perfect score.

"We take great pride in this rating because it indicates our success both as an inclusive place to work and to do business," said Emily Pitts, the Edward Jones principal responsible for Inclusion and Diversity, in a news release. "We define our clients only by their mindset. Our firm's mission is inclusive: to help serious, long-term individual investors achieve their financial goals."

Florida corporations to receive failing marks from HRC included Fort Lauderdale based Auto Nation with a 10 and Publix Super Markets Inc. of Lakeland which also received a 10.

Ironically, Publix was voted best grocery store by readers of the South Florida Gay News.

Faring slightly better, but still in the poor range is ADT Security Services of Boca Raton with a 45 score.

A total of 887 companies nationwide participated in the index. The average score of Florida based companies and law firms is 72.

Criteria for the scores includes equal employment opportunity policies covering sexual orientation and gender identity, employee spousal and partner benefits, transgender inclusive health care coverage, diversity training and public commitment.