Once again, Comcast and NBCUniversal have been named among the nation’s "best places to work" for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people - scoring 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2014 Corporate Equality Index. 

We are so proud of this recognition.  It reflects that we are an employer and business of choice for the LGBT community thanks to our LGBT inclusive corporate culture, employee benefits, workforce engagement, community investments and programming and services. 

Diversity is at the core of our operations.  We leverage the diversity of thought and experiences of our employees to make our business, customer experience and community stronger.  For example, members of our LGBT Employee Resource Group, OUT, have provided guidance on our same sex and transgender inclusive benefits, the launch and marketing of our LGBT Online Portal, Xfinity.com/LGBT, and community investment initiatives such as OUT’s Comcast Cares Day project at The William Way LGBT Community Center and our participation in #SpiritDay.  

Believing in the power and possibilities of media and technology, our 129,000 employees also leverage our global assets to create value for our customers and to connect and strengthen communities.  As a company uniquely positioned to inform, empower and inspire, we embrace the opportunity.  This makes us a very cool place to work.  Let me share some examples of which I’m especially proud. 

  • NBCUniversal has a rich history of showcasing groundbreaking LGBT content and talent.  On screen, Focus Features productions such as Brokeback Mountain, The Kids Are All Right, Milk, and Pariah have changed hearts and minds.  On television, NBC’s early-1980s Love, Sidney was the first program on American television to feature a gay lead character; in 1985, NBC broadcast An Early Frost, the first major film about AIDS; in 1991, NBC broadcast the first lesbian kiss on L.A. Law; and NBC’s Will & Grace was the most successful TV show featuring LGBT character ever.  Current LGBT-inclusive content from across the company’s broadcast and cable networks includes Chicago Fire, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Hello Ross, and Sean Saves the World, as well as NBC’s longest running daytime drama Days of our Lives which has garnered a number of awards and nominations for its popular Will and Sonny storyline.  In addition, the NBC News Group is the home of openly LGBT journalists Rachel Maddow, Thomas Roberts, and Steve Kornacki, as well as finance guru Suze Orman.  Eighteen NBCUniversal productions were nominated for 2013 GLAAD Media Awards.

  • Xfinity.com/LGBT is an online portal that brings together a wealth of LGBT entertainment content from a variety of sources into one, easy-to-navigate location.  The website includes news, programming information, and entertainment options that are especially meaningful to the LGBT community. In addition, Xfinity TV customers also have year-round access to an On Demand LGBT folder that includes award-winning movies, biographical films, documentaries, TV shows, specials and interviews. 

  • By providing airtime for PSA campaigns, Newsmakers interviews, and other media placements; offering philanthropic support; and spearheading public service campaigns like USA Network’s award-winning Characters Unite initiative, La Familia es Familia’s "Don’t Turn Your Back on Family" initiative, and GLAAD’s "Come Out for Equality" initiative, we raise awareness and resources for numerous organizations that promote LGBT inclusion, respect and equality, including: HRC; GLAAD; Equality Forum; Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute; Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF); NGLCC; National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA); Point Foundation; Equality Forum; Stonewall National Museum and Archives; FamiliaesFamilia; Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN); CenterLink, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, and other LGBT community Centers across the nation; Outfest and other LGBT film festivals and pride celebrations throughout the country. 

Over two million members strong, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest civil rights group representing the needs of LGBT people, their families and allies. The Corporate Equality Index is considered a national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees.  

To view the complete 2014 list of rankings, visit www.hrc.org.