Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of America’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, joined with Francisco Robledo of Alianza por la Diversidad e Inclusión Laboral (ADIL) and Fernando Velazquez of FVConsulting – Consultores en Diversidad e Inclusion, S.C to officially launch HRC Equidad MX: Global Workplace Equality Program, a groundbreaking new program that will work to promote LGBTQ workplace inclusion throughout Mexico.
The effort comes amidst historic progress for LGBTQ equality in Mexico by bringing together HRC and advocates on the ground to educate and mobilise the country’s business community in support of LGBTQ workers and consumers.
HRC Equidad MX: Global Workplace Equality Program will increase awareness about the importance of LGBTQ diversity and inclusion Mexico’s workplaces by developing consulting and education models for Mexican companies and organizations. It will also utilise HRC’s tools and relationships to engage interested companies in aligning their corporate policies on LGBTQ inclusion to international standards.
“HRC Equidad MX: Global Workplace Equality Program is the next phase in our work and fruitful partnerships in Mexico to promote LGBTQ inclusion,” said Deena Fidas, Director of HRC’s Workplace Equality Program. “As we have seen in the United States, engagement and education with the business community can deliver concrete results for LGBTQ workers. More and more Mexican and Latin American businesses are interested in working on LGBTQ diversity and inclusion and we look forward to working with advocates on the ground in our mutual work to build safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces.”
Fidas will be kicking off the partnership with an address today about the return on investment for LGBTQ equality at the 3rd Forum of Best Practices at the Workplace at Consejo para Prevenir y Eliminar la Discriminación de la Ciudad de México (COPRED), Mexico City’s Council to Prevent and Eradicate Discrimination.
After numerous successes with U.S.-based multinational corporations operating in Mexico, HRC is partnering with two renowned experts to grow the number of LGBT-inclusive businesses and more broadly support a national dialogue on the business case for inclusion. FVConsulting – Consultores en Diversidad e Inclusion, S.C. – and firm founder Fernando Velazquez, who launched the first LGBT employee network group at American Express Mexico, provide sought-after expertise with corporate experience. ADIL – Alianza por la Diversidad e Inclusión Laboral – is an alliance of LGBT professional consultants and experienced social analysts who promote and offer business solutions toward inclusion and respect of LGBT people in the workplace.
“ADIL has sought for the visibility of LGBT inclusion and best practices of companies in Mexico for the last three years and this alliance with HRC will help us strengthen the relationship with decision makers and shorten the time to see tangible results,” said Francisco Robledo, founder of the Alliance for Diversity and Workplace Inclusion.
“HRC Equidad MX: Global Workplace Equality Program is the tool Mexican companies were needing to accelerate their LGBTQ inclusion efforts, I am honoured and happy to have joined efforts with HRC to launch this program in México,” said Fernando Velazquez, founder of FVConsulting.
“The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has worked with HRC for over five years in support of equal labor practices in Mexico. We partnered with HRC to launch and support the Pride Connection network here and have since broadened our collaboration to work together on social inclusion efforts,” said U.S. Embassy Acting Spokesperson, Adam Lenert. “We congratulate HRC on their efforts to formalise their presence in Mexico and look forward to working with Mr. Velázquez and Mr. Robledo.”
Through its Corporate Equality Index, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has laid the roadmap for the adoption of LGBTQ inclusive policies, benefits and practices across major corporations. HRC has collaborated for over five years with the U.S. Embassy, the American Chamber of Commerce, top-rated CEI partners such as Citigroup/Banamex, Dow, JPMorgan Chase & Co. among others, and civil society leaders to promote LGBTQ workplace inclusion and the broader business case for equality in Mexico. Last November, HRC launched its first international CEI in Mexico City along with partners, Dow, Pride Connection Mexico and the U.S. Embassy. This past spring, HRC was honoured to again partner with these companies to deliver a keynote and panel moderation at the inaugural Pride Connection Mexico Summit of over 200 corporate and civil society leaders in Mexico .
To learn more about HRC Equidad MX: Global Workplace Equality Program, visit hrc.im/equidadmx.
