Barnes & Noble earns top rating in 2012 Corporate Equality Index

New York City -- Barnes & Noble said Thursday it has earned the top rating of 100% for the fourth year in a row in the 2012 Corporate Equality Index, an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.



Barnes & Noble joins the ranks of 190 other major U.S. businesses, which received top marks for their treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees and consumers.



"It is an honor to be recognized once again by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for our dedication to recruiting the best and most diverse talent and providing them with expanded and competitive benefits," said Michelle Smith, VP of human resources for Barnes & Noble.



The CEI rated 638 businesses in total on a scale from 0 to 100%, evaluating LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination policies, transgender health benefits and domestic partner benefits.