Mars scored a 100 on the 2023 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. By complying with the HRC’s controversial demands, Mars 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 and gender identity-based benefits. It also uses sex and gender ideology criteria in employee recruitment, vendor selection, marketing, and philanthropic support. Mars forces employees to undergo multiple ideological trainings and uses its reputation, corporate funds, and political influence to support controversial sex and gender ideologies, organizations, and legislation. The company does not protect its employees against viewpoint discrimination. The company is part of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media. America First Legal filed a letter with the EEOC requesting a civil rights investigation into Mars over discriminatory practices in hiring. Mars has lobbied to support the Equality Act and a senior executive at Mars has issued an op-ed opposing a minimum age for gender transition surgeries. The company opposed various state and local legislation intended to protect parental rights, girls’ sports, bathroom facilities, and gendered spaces. Mars' brands have promoted BLM and related organizations and causes. For these reasons, Mars receives a High Risk rating.