Where Are The Best Places In America For LGBT People To Work?

The Human Rights Campaign has released its 2017 Corporate Equality Index, which examines how businesses treat LGBT employees.

A record 517 companies have received a perfect score of 100, up from 407 last year. Joining CEI mainstays like Apple, which has been graded 100% for the past 15 years, are newcomers Facebook and Yelp. Some 887 corporations and law firms participated in the self-reported survey, which was first published in 2002.

HRC President Chad Griffin praised those who remain steadfastly supportive, “even in the face of relentless attempts to undermine equality.”

“The unprecedented expansion of inclusive workplaces across the country and around the globe not only reflects our progress, it helps drive it,” said Griffin in a statement. “As we enter a new chapter in our fight for equality, support from the business community will be more critical than ever to protect our historic advancements over the last decade and to continue to push equality forward for workers, customers, and families around the world.”

The CEI rates companies and top law firms were rated on factors including non-discrimination policies, employment benefits, public commitment to equality, responsible citizenship and organizational accountability around LGBT inclusion.

While the list has plenty of expected winners—Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola—several companies made sizable improvements from last year: PetSmart and Toys ’R’ Us jumped from 75 to 100, while BJ’s Wholesale Club, which earned a 20 in last year’s report, earned a perfect score this year.

The biggest growth has been in expanded support for transgender workers: When the CEI launched in 2002, just 3% of Fortune 500 companies had non-discrimination protections that included gender identity. Today, that number is 82%. And 73% offer transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage, up from 60% from last year.

Additionally dozens of companies have spoken out against HB2, in some cases canceling projects in North Carolina altogether. As HRC’s Deena Fidas points out, these employers “continue to outpace lawmakers and lead the way forward.”