American Airlines shareholders overall have rejected efforts by some conservatives to get the American to end its participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Index.
At a recent shareholders’ meeting, the National Center for Public Policy Research proposed that American “exit the HRC index” because “the airline’s long-standing commitment to LGBTQ+ equality might be hurting its bottom line,” according to a post by the Facebook group FlightDrama.
But more than 273 million shares voted against the proposal, compared to a mere 6 million voting in favor.
“American’s board made its stance clear: Leaving the index would offer ‘no added value’ and would go against the positive feedback they’ve received from employees and customers alike.”
Noting that other companies — including Walmart, John Deere and Toyota — have “distanced themselves” from the Equality Index, FlightDrama posts, “American is doubling down. The airline will once again sponsor Dallas Pride and says it remains committed to policies, benefits and a culture that reflect full inclusion.
“In an era where corporate values are under the microscope, American isn’t flinching; it’s flying straight into the storm,” the post concludes.
The Travel And Tour World website notes that “the airline has been a consistent participant in the index, receiving high scores in comparison to other major U.S. corporations. Despite recent arguments from certain shareholders claiming the airline’s participation might be negatively impacting its financial standing, American Airlines remains steadfast in its dedication to the HRC’s evaluation.”
On its website, FlightDrama describes itself as “your destination for the wildest aviation stories, real-time airline news, and in-flight drama that grabs headlines. … We’re passionate about aviation. Our team tracks global events, works with industry sources, and shares stories that spark conversation.”
— Tammye Nash