Recognized for Two Decades of LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion
Bright Horizons has once again been recognized for its enduring commitment to workplace equality. For the 20th year in a row, the company has earned a place on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRCF) 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI)—a respected national benchmark that evaluates corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
In this year’s CEI, Bright Horizons joins a record-breaking 1,449 U.S. companies that were ranked, the highest number of participants since the CEI’s inception in 2002. The recognition highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to foster a workplace where all employees, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feel seen, respected, and supported.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At the heart of Bright Horizons’ corporate values is a steadfast dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The company is focused on creating a work environment where every child, family, and employee can thrive, belong, and make meaningful contributions.
One of the key components of its DEI strategy is BH Pride, Bright Horizons’ LGBTQ+ employee resource group. BH Pride offers a space for employees to share their experiences, engage in open conversations, and influence policies that positively impact the LGBTQ+ community. The group also plays an active role in organizing company-wide Pride events and fostering a culture of inclusion that extends beyond the workplace.
Through BH Pride and other initiatives, Bright Horizons promotes a workplace that not only accepts, but celebrates individual differences, including sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and culture.
The Corporate Equality Index: A Benchmark for Inclusive Workplaces
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s CEI is widely regarded as the nation’s foremost benchmarking tool for corporate LGBTQ+ inclusion. Companies are evaluated on four key criteria:
- Nondiscrimination policies
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families
- Supportive culture and inclusive practices
- Corporate social responsibility and public commitment to LGBTQ+ equality
The 2025 CEI results highlight significant progress across the board. Notably, 98 percent of CEI-rated companies now have explicit nondiscrimination protections that include gender identity—a clear sign of the growing momentum toward inclusive workplace standards.
HRCF Praises Businesses for Progress and Commitment
RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, SHRM-CP, and the Senior Director of Workplace Equality at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, emphasized the CEI’s role as more than just a metric.
“The CEI is so much more than a score on paper,” Hawkins said. “For decades, businesses have relied on the CEI as a tool for transparency and leveling the playing field for all workers, making sure LGBTQ+ people and their families can share in fair, respectful, and supportive workplaces and benefits.”
Hawkins also highlighted how the increasing participation in the CEI reflects a broader shift in corporate culture, as more companies recognize the business and ethical value of equity and inclusion.
“Year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that largely recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion,” she added.
Leading by Example
Bright Horizons’ two-decade streak on the CEI is a testament to the company’s long-term dedication to building an inclusive culture. As part of a growing group of employers striving to do better, the organization understands that inclusion is not a one-time initiative, but an ongoing journey that requires engagement, education, and accountability.
With over 22 million U.S. workers benefiting from the policies and practices of CEI-rated companies, Bright Horizons’ recognition is not just an internal achievement—it’s part of a national movement toward creating workplaces that empower and uplift everyone.
As the CEI continues to evolve and more companies join the effort, Bright Horizons remains committed to leading the way and ensuring that every voice is valued and every person feels at home.
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About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.