The Economic and Business Case for Global LGB&T Inclusion
Published 2015
What is the report’s purpose?
This report presents a comprehensive evidence base for global LGB&T inclusion: successful businesses thrive in diverse, inclusive societies and the spread of anti-gay policies runs counter to the interests of business and economic development.
What is its scope?
This report sets out the case for inclusion and diversity, with a specific focus on LGB&T. It brings together a broad base of research undertaken from different perspectives and with different geographical foci, and identifies themes that are globally relevant.
Who is it for?
This report is intended to set out the evidence that will empower those arguing against LGB&T discrimination, wherever it exists in the world.
What methodology was used?
1. Collected evidence (reports, research papers, online news articles) via secondary desk research.
2. Distilled this evidence base into a set of propositions about the individual, business and economic impacts of LGB&T inclusion.
3. Re-visited the evidence base to identify the most robust and up-to-date evidence and data for each proposition.
4. Input from civil society organizations, including the International HIV/AIDs Alliance, the Human Rights Campaign, Out Leadership and Stonewall.
5. Interviewed activists on the front-line of LGB&T discrimination to ensure propositions are grounded in local country realities, including Jamaica, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria, Russia and Poland.
6. Commissioned primary research on consumer attitudes towards LGB&T discrimination (survey data).
7. Research was carried out between January – August 2015.
Who are the authors?
Companies supporting Open For Business contributed their global perspectives, experience and expertise on the business case for LGB&T inclusion, and they actively participated in shaping the argument throughout the development of this report. The final analysis and writing of the report was undertaken by Jon Miller and Lucy Parker of the Brunswick Group.
