Lexmark Recognized for LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion Leadership in 2025
Lexington, Tuesday, 7 January 2025.
Lexmark earned a top score on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index, highlighting their commitment to LGBTQ+ workplace equality, marking the longest recognition for a Kentucky-based company.
Milestone Achievement in Corporate Equality
Lexmark has achieved a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRCF) 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), announced on January 6, 2025 [1][2]. This recognition places Lexmark among 765 U.S. businesses receiving the prestigious Equality 100 Award, in a year that saw the highest participation rate with 1,449 companies being evaluated [1][3]. The company’s commitment to LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion has been consistently recognized since the CEI’s inception in 2002, making it the longest-recognized Kentucky-based company in the index [1].
Global Recognition for Inclusive Practices
Lexmark’s commitment to LGBTQ+ workplace equality extends beyond U.S. borders, with the company earning top scores in multiple international markets [1][2]. In Mexico’s Equidad MX 2025, Lexmark was among just 79 companies out of 305 to achieve a perfect score [1]. Similar success was achieved in Argentina’s Equidad AR 2024 and Brazil’s Equidade BR 2024, where Lexmark was among 55 and 79 top-scoring organizations respectively [1]. This global recognition demonstrates the company’s comprehensive approach to fostering inclusive workplaces across different cultural contexts.
Impact on Corporate Culture and Business Performance
According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s analysis, inclusive workplaces drive innovation, attract top talent, and deliver better business outcomes [3]. This is particularly significant as studies show that 54% of LGBTQ+ workers have either sought new jobs or left positions due to non-affirming environments [3]. The CEI’s evaluation criteria encompass four key pillars: non-discrimination policies, equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers, inclusive culture, and corporate social responsibility [1][3]. A record-breaking 98% of CEI-rated businesses now have non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity, covering more than 22 million U.S. workers [2].
Looking Ahead: Corporate Leadership in Inclusion
This recognition comes at a crucial time for corporate America’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As noted by RaShawn ‘Shawnie’ Hawkins, HRCF senior director of workplace equality, ‘For decades businesses have relied on the CEI as a tool for transparency and leveling the playing field for all workers’ [1]. With Millennials and Gen Z comprising the majority of the workforce and nearly 30% identifying as LGBTQ+, this recognition positions Lexmark favorably in the evolving landscape of workplace inclusion [3]. The company’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with significant corporate changes, including its pending acquisition by Xerox, expected to close in the second half of 2025 [6].