Borders Group Achieves a Perfect Score on Annual Corporate Equality Index for Fourth Consecutive Year

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) today announced that it has earned a prestigious 100 percent rating on the 2011 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an annual survey published by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, a civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. This marks the sixth time — and the fourth consecutive year — the company has achieved a perfect score on the CEI since it was first published in 2002.

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Using a scale of 0 to 100 percent, the 2011 CEI assessed 844 companies and law firms on their treatment of LGBT employees and consumers. Ratings were based on factors like non-discrimination policies, diversity training and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees. Borders Group joins 337 other major businesses nationwide that received a top score.

"Our deep-rooted enthusiasm for diversity of people and perspectives reaches from our corporate office into our stores, distribution centers, and into every community we serve nationwide. Our booksellers work hard every day to create a welcoming store environment that promotes a diversity of viewpoints, interests and backgrounds around a common theme – the love of books," said Rosalind Thompson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources.  "We are honored to once again be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for our commitment to diversity, inclusion and individuality."

For more information on the 2011 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. The company employs approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

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.

SOURCE Borders Group