The global campaign for human rights has been boosted by businesses taking a stand against oppressive anti-LGBTQ laws.
In the past, businesses often chose to remain neutral when governments passed, strengthened or resisted amending laws curbing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) rights.
But that has changed.
In recent years, a growing number of businesses have been playing a proactive role, not only in openly supporting their LGBTQ employees and customers, but mobilising against oppressive anti-LGBTQ laws.
Earlier in this year, Brunei embarked on a process of instituting the death penalty for adultery and homosexual sex – with the penalty of being whipped and then stoned to death intended for homosexuals.
A global backlash led by George Clooney and Elton John stimulated a response from businesses and other organisations.
The Financial Times, Deutsche Bank, and TV Choice magazine cancelled events scheduled to take place at the Dorchester Hotel chain group, owned by the Sultan of Brunei; STA Travel, a large Swedish travel company for students, announced that it would no longer sell flights on Brunei’s national carrier; and the state government of Queensland, Australia suspended plans to partner with Royal Brunei Airlines.
Confronted with a petition signed by close to 120 000 people, Oxford University cancelled an honorary degree it had conferred on oil-rich Brunei’s leader, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in 1993.
Global pressure on the Southeast Asian state compelled it to draw back from implementing the harsher penal scheme it had in mind – though homosexuals still face a 10-year jail sentence in Brunei.
But the Brunei case demonstrates the major role businesses can play in preventing marginalisation of the LGBTQ community and the erosion of human rights.
However, while in this case the role was largely a reactive one, there are examples of businesses playing a more proactive role. Tech giant Microsoft South Africa has, for instance, entered into a partnership with the Jozi Catz Rugby Club – Africa’s first LGBTQ and inclusive competitive rugby club.
Not only will the Jozi Catz receive cloud-based services from the technology company, but the partnership will support the club’s growth and their goal to promote inclusivity in sport domestically and north of South Africa’s borders.
Microsoft has a well-established reputation as an ally of the LGBTQ community. In 1993, the corporate became the first Fortune 500 company to provide same-sex domestic partnership benefits, and was one of the first to include sexual orientation in its non-discriminatory corporate policy.
As a major multi-national company, Microsoft has not only encouraged LGBTQ rights in its parent country (the United States), but has also pushed for non-discrimination practices globally. In 2016, for example, Microsoft established a team to further policy and advocacy of global human rights, including LGBTQ rights. Microsoft also supported gay marriage in Ireland and has committed itself to support marriage equality in every market it operates in.
Supporting the LGBTQ community carries benefits for businesses, too. LGBTQ consumers are most likely to work for and purchase products and services from gay-friendly companies.
Over and beyond economic factors, big business can – as the Brunei case illustrates – exert a positive influence in sustaining and deepening human rights, which benefit all of society.
Gerbrandt van Heerden is an Analyst at the IRR.
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