General Mills speaks out for LGBT equality

Earlier this week, Ken Charles, vice president of global diversity and inclusion for General Mills, testified in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing.

Charles’ testimony emphasized that treating workers fairly and equally is good for business, since employees can bring their full selves to work, resulting in a more creative and productive work force. In addition to the testimony, 80 corporations submitted a joint letter in support of ENDA.

General Mills has came out in opposition to an anti-marriage equality constitutional amendment on the November ballot in Minnesota.

The Task Force is on the ground in Minnesota working with Minnesotans United for All Families as part of the campaign to defeat the proposed amendment.

In a blog post today, Charles wrote:

[Our CEO] voiced our company’s opposition to the proposed marriage amendment, an initiative that makes our state less inclusive and reduces our company’s ability to attract and retain talent.

While, General Mills doesn’t normally take positions on ballot measures, this is a business issue that impacts our employees.

I am proud to see our company join the ranks of local and national employers speaking out for inclusion. We do not believe the proposed constitutional amendment is in the best interests of our employees or our state economy – and as a Minnesota-based company we oppose it.

In 2011, General Mills was a corporate sponsor for our 23rd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, which was held in Minneapolis, Minn. In addition to its financial support, they provided snacks for attendees and sent along their Pillsbury Dough Boy to our opening reception. We encourage you to share this photo to thank General Mills for its outspoken support of LGBT equality.