American Apparel Earns 100 Percent Rating on Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 14th Annual Corporate Equality Index

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- American Apparel, Inc., ("the Company"), a vertically-integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashion-basic apparel, proudly announces that the Company has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index ("CEI"), a national bench marking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.  

"I'm thrilled that we were able to enhance our employee offerings with transgender benefits, which are now in our insurance policies. We will continuously strive to provide the most comprehensive benefit packages for our outstanding employees who are passionate individuals from all backgrounds," said CEO Paula Schneider. "We will continue to champion the causes most important to American Apparel, including gender equality."

"I'm very grateful to have been a member of the teams that have led American Apparel's LGBT inclusion efforts for the past 10 years", said Jon Henry Szymanski, Director of Co-Branding and Philanthropy at American Apparel. "Our dedication to championing diversity, LGBT inclusion and immigration reform has never wavered. I am proud that we can now say with the most certainty that our polices are 100% aligned with the message on our iconic 'Legalize LGBT' tee shirts." 

American Apparel joins the ranks of 391 major U.S. businesses which also earned top marks this year.

"Since we first partnered with American Apparel in 2009, there has been significant progress in the fight for LGBT equality across the country," said HRC Creative Director Don Kiser. "But despite our nation's marriage equality victory at the Supreme Court in June, LGBT individuals still face inequality in their daily lives and remain at risk of unacceptable discrimination.  We are honored that American Apparel, a company with a 100% score on our Corporate Equality Index, stands with us as we continue to fight for full LGBT equality."

The 2016 CEI rated 1,024 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. American Apparel's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

For more information on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About The Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

About American Apparel
American Apparel, Inc. (the "Company,") is a vertically-integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashion-basic apparel based in downtown Los Angeles, California. As of October 19, 2015, the Company had approximately 8,700 employees and operated approximately 230 retail stores worldwide, including in the United States and Canada. The Company also operates a global e-commerce site that serves over 50 countries worldwide at http://www.americanapparel.com. In addition, the Company operates a leading wholesale business that supplies high-quality T-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and screen printers.

Media Contact:

Weber Shandwick
Liz Cohen
(212) 445-8044
Arielle Patrick
(212) 445-8470

SOURCE American Apparel, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.americanapparel.com