MGM Resorts Named One of the "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality"; For Third Year in a Row Earns Perfect Score for its LGBT Employee Policies and Benefits

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Nov 20, 2014, 07:00 ET

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A prominent benchmarking organization has rated MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) as among the nation's leading companies for workplace equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Based on the company's policies and practices relating to LGBT employees, the Human Rights Campaign announced that for the third consecutive year, MGM Resorts has earned a perfect score on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, an annual HRC survey that ranks major companies for their non-discrimination and benefits practices with respect to LGBT employees.

The CEI assessment focuses on LGBT-related company 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. The 2015 CEI rated 972 businesses, of which 366 achieved 100 percent, earning them the coveted distinction of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality."

"In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world. MGM Resorts International not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values."

"This recognition further demonstrates that the principles of diversity and inclusion run deep within our company culture and the guest service we are renowned for," said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. "We are delighted to receive a perfect score, yet again, and we commit ourselves to the promotion of equality continually within our workforce and throughout our communities."

The 2015 Corporate Equality Index report is available at www.hrc.org/cei.

This year's report findings include:

A record number of 366 companies received a perfect 100, the highest score possible on the CEI, despite more stringent requirements for the achievement.
Healthcare for transgender workers has made significant strides in those companies that participated in this year's CEI. Of the 972 businesses rated, 418 offer transgender workers at least one health care plan that has transgender-inclusive coverage. That's a 22 percent increase since 2012, when the CEI criteria first included trans-inclusive health care as a requisite for companies to receive a perfect score.
One third of Fortune 500 companies now offer trans-inclusive health care, up from zero in 2002 when the CEI was first published.
Eighty-nine percent of Fortune 500 companies include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies, while 66 percent include gender identity.

Building upon the introduction of its diversity and inclusion initiative more than a decade ago, MGM Resorts became the first company in the gaming and hospitality industry to offer same-sex health benefits to employees in 2004. MGM Resorts later expanded its health benefits to offer broader coverage of medical services for transgender employees. In 2011, MGM Resorts expanded its supplier and construction diversity programs to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)-owned firms.

In addition to being a National Corporate Partner of the HRC, MGM Resorts has been an active supporter of The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada since 2002. The Company has pledged $300,000 to The Center to support the construction and opening of its new building.

For more information about MGM Resorts International's diversity and inclusion initiative, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.mgmresorts.com/csr.

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 MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features Aria resort and casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

SOURCE MGM Resorts International