San Francisco – May 20, 2020 - Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) and the United Nations Foundation will once again partner during Pride Month in June to raise awareness and funds for UN Free & Equal, a global campaign of the United Nations Human Rights Office to promote equal rights and fair treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people globally. In its fifth consecutive year, Gap Inc. is on track to reach over $500,000 in total donations to UN Free & Equal since the beginning of this partnership.
While plans for Pride celebrations around the world will shift due to the current COVID-19 health crisis, Gap Inc. and the United Nations Foundation remain committed to the shared goal of ending discrimination in all its forms.
“The LGBTQ community has shown us time and time again that love, pride, and hope will overcome fear and hate,” said Sonia Syngal, CEO of Gap Inc.. “This resiliency reminds us how important it is to keep working for a world where everyone everywhere is able to live free from discrimination. We’re honored to continue the fight for equality and our support for UN Free & Equal.”
This year Gap Inc. brands will again offer special, Pride-themed eGift Cards. For every Pride eGift Card sold, $2 will be donated to the UN Foundation in support of the UN Free & Equal campaign, up to $10,000. Banana Republic will make an additional $60,000 donation to the UN Free & Equal campaign. Gap Inc.’s total donation to the campaign, over the last 5 years of the partnership, is on track to exceed $500,000.
The UN Free & Equal campaign is a powerful tool in the fight for equality. The global campaign aims to win respect, recognition, and acceptance for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people around the world. The campaign reaches parents, students, teachers, journalists, and policymakers, especially in countries where LGBTI communities face hostility and hardship and aims to cultivate new allies in the fight for equality. It has campaigned in more than 35 countries so far, with 18 full-scale national campaigns currently active.
“The UN Foundation has been proud to partner with Gap Inc. for the past five years to support the Free & Equal campaign, and we are grateful for their unswerving commitment,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President & CEO of the UN Foundation. “As the global pandemic exacerbates inequalities, it’s more important than ever that we work together to further the UN’s global mission to reject discrimination in all its forms so that LGBTI human rights are respected everywhere in the world. We cannot afford reversals when it comes to equality for LGBTI and other marginalized communities.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased LGBTI people’s exposure to stigma, discrimination and violence. Now more than ever, we are reminded of the need for efforts to promote equal societies that are fully respectful of diversity and the dignity of each and every individual," said Veronica Birga, Chief of Women's Human Rights and Gender Section, OHCHR. “The UN Free & Equal campaign aims to address prejudice and stereotypes against LGBTI people, raise awareness about the discrimination and violence they suffer, and show their resilience and pride in who they are and whom they love. We are committed to ensuring that LGBTI people's voices are heard and their rights are respected. We are grateful for the support from GAP inc. which makes this work possible.”
Since Gap Inc.’s founding in 1969, the company has led its business by celebrating individuality and diversity, and by treating all people with respect, dignity and fairness. In 2017, Gap Inc. was the first apparel company to sign on to a new set of global standards for business on respecting and promoting the human rights of LGBTI people. The company, which recently received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the fifteenth consecutive year, has also been an advocate for the passage of the Equality Act in the U.S., and is a member of the Open to All coalition.
Today’s announcement builds on a separate $150,000 donation made previously by Gap Foundation to the United Nations Solidarity Response Fund to support the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Gap Foundation and Gap Inc. continue to explore ways to continue to respond to the crisis.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, Intermix, Janie and Jack, and Hill City brands. Fiscal year 2019 net sales were $16.4 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in more than 90 countries worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
About Gap Foundation
In 1969, Gap Inc. co-founders and equal partners Doris and Don Fisher started a company that has created countless opportunities – not just for Gap Inc. employees and partners, but for the communities where Gap Inc. does business. Inspired by the belief that businesses and communities need to work together to thrive, The Gap Foundation was formed in 1977 to create possibilities that help people reach their fullest potential.
Through two signature programs, This Way Ahead and P.A.C.E, The Gap Foundation’s priority focus areas connect teens and young adults from economically-diverse communities to their first job, and provide life skills and education to women in garment industry.
About United Nations Foundation
The UN Foundation brings together ideas, people, and resources to help the United Nations drive global progress and tackle urgent problems. Our hallmark is to collaborate for lasting change and innovate to address humanity’s greatest challenges. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org
About UN Free & Equal
The UN Free & Equal campaign is an unprecedented global public information campaign aimed at promoting equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTIQ people. It was launched by the United Nations Human Rights Office in July 2013 and has since reached hundreds of millions of people globally through traditional and social media as well as generated a stream of widely shared materials – including powerful videos, impactful graphics and plain-language fact sheets. For more information please visit www.unfe.org.
Media Contacts:
Gap Inc. - Mark Snyder
press@gap.com
UN Foundation - Alexis Krieg
press@unfoundation.org
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