Barnes & Noble scored a 70 out of 100 on the 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. By complying with the HRC’s controversial demands, Barnes & Noble increases the risk of dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders. The company covers transgender-related medical costs for its employees and their children and provides specific sexual orientation. It also uses sex and gender ideology criteria in employee recruitment, vendor selection, marketing, and philanthropic support. Barnes & Noble uses its reputation, corporate funds, and political influence to support controversial sex and gender ideologies, organizations, and legislation. For these reasons, Barnes & Noble receives a Medium Risk rating.