Kroger fired two Christian employees who requested not to wear the gay pride logo on their work aprons. Kroger scored an 85 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, Kroger increases the risk of dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders. It also uses sex and gender ideology criteria in employee recruitment, vendor selection, marketing, and philanthropic support. Kroger uses its reputation, corporate funds, and political influence to support controversial sex and gender ideologies, organizations, and legislation. The company provides a benefits package for employees which covers travel/lodging costs for an abortion and transgender medical procedures for covered employees and dependents, including children. The company planned to provide unconscious bias training to all leaders in 2020 and DE&I training for every associate by May 2021. Kroger has encouraged employees to support the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. The company’s CEO, Rodney McMullen, signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace. Kroger funds the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and enables community donations to Planned Parenthood. The company pledged $13 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes. Harris Teeter's supplier-driven Pride collection included an offering of limited-edition Vizzy hard seltzer produced in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). For these reasons, Kroger receives a High Risk rating.