Merck received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means Merck has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1). The company is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which aims to demonetize advertisements and suppress content that “vilifies” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity, discusses “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context” or spreads “hate speech” (2)(3)(4). However, it has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious beliefs or political views.

Merck will not permit donations to “religious organizations or groups whose activities are primarily sectarian in purpose” (1).

Merck does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).

Merck has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2). The company has signed letters supporting the Equality Act and opposing state-level elections security bills (3)(4)(5). CEO Robert Davis is a member of the Business Roundtable, but has not supported ideological initiatives (6).

Merck does both, directly and indirectly, fund Planned Parenthood through partnering with affiliate groups and organizations such as the Family Planning 2020 program (1)(2). Merck is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (3)(4)(5). The company has pledged over $20 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes, though it is unclear which organizations received funding (6)(7). Merck is a copper sponsor of Out & Equal and a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (8)(9).

Merck donates in a bipartisan manner but has donated to the Equality PAC (1)(2)(3).