Brown-Forman Receives Perfect Score For 2012 Corporate Equality Index

Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BFA)(NYSE: BFB) received a perfect score of 100 points on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2012 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the second consecutive year. A total of 636 U.S. businesses were rated this year with 190 receiving a perfect 100 points in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT)-related policies and practices. Brown-Forman is the only Kentucky-based company to receive a 100 rating.

“Brown-Forman believes the diverse abilities of all our employees creates a better, stronger company. We are pleased that the HRC recognizes our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace that supports all employees,” said Brown-Forman Chief Executive Officer Paul Varga.

The CEI rates companies on 40 specific policies and practices, 32 of which are new or more demanding than last year. One new area highlighted this year requires that companies offer comprehensive healthcare coverage to their transgender workers to receive a perfect score. Additional criteria focused on four main objectives: equal employment opportunity policies, employment benefits, organizational LGBT competency, and public commitment.

“Brown-Forman is deeply committed to respecting all people and that extends throughout our workforce, our workplace, and our marketplace. Our perfect score reflects that commitment,” said Chief Diversity Officer Ralph de Chabert.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization that works to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality. The HRC is perhaps best known for its annual Corporate Equality Index, http://www.hrc.org, released each fall that provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and their policies and practices relating to LGBT employees.

For 140 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Canadian Mist, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, New Mix, Tuaca, and Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 3,900 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.

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