Local Influencer Program
We have worked with hundreds of business leaders around the world on building initiatives for LGBT+ inclusive societies. We know that there are C-suite leaders in truly challenging countries for LGBT+ inclusion who understand that inclusion is good for business. We work to provide them with first-rate research and a network of peers to enable them to take action for LGBT+ inclusive societies. Read more about our footprint and focus geographies below.
Additionally, read how we work with our coalition partners to support civil society and act in the public sphere to advance LGBT+ rights here.
A truly global focus
Our coalition partners have operations in over 150 countries around the world. We use that geographic footprint to convene networks of business leaders, who then become empowered champions for LGBT+ inclusion. We have begun building action-oriented networks of business leaders challenging countries all over the world, with a particular focus on four regions in which we have formal Local Influencer Programs.
Asia Pacific
We have worked with business leaders across Asia Pacific. Our coalition partners have had two roundtables of business leaders in Hong Kong, have built a self-sustaining network focused on disseminating LGBT+ inclusion best practices in Singapore, partnered with the Economist and UNDP on Executive Dialogues in India, and partnered with IBM in Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.
Additionally, we have worked with civil society organizations in Taiwan to build business support for marriage equality and in China to translate our reports into Simplified Chinese.
Central and Eastern Europe
Google and a foundation partner have helped us construct a data-driven economic case for LGBT+ rights in Eastern Europe. The initiative is run by our Program Lead based in Berlin and focuses on Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. Our new regional report is now available and will be used to support civil society in the region and build networks of business leaders committed to LGBT+ inclusion.
The Caribbean
We have partnered with Virgin Atlantic to produce an innovative report on the impact that anti-LGBT+ policies and stigma has on the Caribbean economy. The report has a strong focus on the tourism and travel sector and focuses on the English-speaking Caribbean.
East Africa
In February 2019, we launched our East Africa Program with the launch of a report on the economic impact of LGBT+ inclusion in Kenya and the start of our Kenya Country Director. Since then, we have been building a network of companies focused on acting in the public sphere to advance LGBT+ rights in Kenya and beyond.
Acting in the Public Sphere: Supporting Local Campaigns
In addition to our long-term programs, we also organize collective action from our coalition partners to support LGBT+ rights movements around the world. A few of our recent and ongoing campaigns include the following.
Japan
We are currently helping to encourage our coalition partners to support a viewpoint put forward by the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan outlining the business benefits of marriage equality. Working with LLAN and Marriage for All Japan, we are identifying additional corporations to support Japan’s movement for marriage equality.
Taiwan
We worked with Tongzhi (LGBT) Hotline Association and the Taiwan Marriage Equality Coalition on their campaign for marriage equality in Taiwan. We wrote a short brief on the economic rationale for marriage equality and worked with our coalition partners to lend their support to the statement.
Brunei
In April 2019, Brunei implemented a penal code that criminalizes same-sex acts with death by stoning. We quickly reached out to civil society partners in the region to get their input on how the private sector can support their efforts. We created a guidance note for our coalition partners to communicate the situation to employees and with clear suggested actions. Many of our coalition partners used this knowledge to act internally and externally. Many removed the Sultanate of Brunei’s hotels from their supplier lists.
Costa Rica
We are working with coalition partners to organize a roundtable in Costa Rica with the Marriage Campaign Costa Rica to determine how the private sector can support their efforts for marriage equality.