Ford Calls For Diversity In Automotive Industry  
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Dearborn, Michigan) Ford Motor Company Monday held the first automotive conference aimed at bringing diversity to the car industry.

Billed as the Diversity Forum, it attracted than 100 multinational companies for an industry-wide dialogue including broadening the number of LGBT workers in the field.

CEO Bill Ford and other senior corporate executives led a series symposiums that focused on growing diverse suppliers, building a diverse organization and multicultural marketing. 

Ford pointed to the need for the automotive industry to help nurture minorities, especially minority owned suppliers. 

"In order to keep Michigan competitive in a global economy, we must continue to focus on the importance diversity plays in growing our economy,"  Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm  said. "Promoting diversity makes good business sense and will help position Michigan as an economic powerhouse in the 21st century." 

Ford obtained a 100 percent score on this year's the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. Ford is the only automaker and the largest corporation to get this score. 

The Corporate Equality Index is a systematic review of how America's largest companies treat their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. 

The number of companies receiving the top grade rose to 56 in 2004, from 28 in 2003 and just 13 in 2002. 

Ford previously scored 85 percent, but by adding gender identity to is non discrimination policy, which already included gays and lesbians, the score took a considerable jump.

©365Gay.com 2004