- The HRC lowered Fox Corporation’s Corporate Diversity Index score from 100 to 75.
- The media outlet has had a perfect score for years, according to Deadline.
- The move comes after Fox News’ extensive coverage on Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
After years of a maintaining a perfect score, Fox Corporation was deducted 25 points on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Diversity Index.
The company boasted a perfect score of 100 for years, which put it on the HRC list of Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, according to Deadline.
However, the Fox News’ recent coverage of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, known by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and other trans and LGBTQ legislation across the country prompted the HRC to lower the outlet’s score.
The HRC Foundation released a report Tuesday highlighting negative portrayals of trans people in the media and called out Fox News, among other outlets, as contributing to the marginalization of trans individuals.
“We can no longer allow Fox Corporation to maintain its score if Fox News personalities and contributors continue to deny the existence of transgender people, minimize the violence transgender individuals face, refer to parents of LGBTQ+ youth as perverts, or equate leaders of LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusions efforts with sex offenders,” said HRC press secretary Aryn Fields, according to Deadline.
The Corporate Diversity Index is an annual report that scores mid-to-large-sized corporations based on their internal policy, benefits, and LGBTQ affirming culture. The HRC also looks at whether or not companies are affiliated with what they deem to be anti-LGBTQ organizations or activities and will lower scores based on whether or not the corporations change their behavior.
In a statement provided to Insider, Fox Corporation noted that they provide health benefits for their LGBTQ employees, such as gender-affirming surgeries.
The outlet also emphasized the recent hiring of Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender woman and a former Republican gubernatorial candidate in California, as a Fox News contributor. Jenner called the Florida bill "common sense" during a segment on Fox News' Sean Hannity that aired Thursday, saying she's "all for parental rights."
The HRC did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.