Christian Legal Group Shifts Focus to Corporate DEI Policies
Saturday, Jan 18, 2025 11:09 am ET
2min read The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a prominent Christian legal group known for its role in the Supreme Court case that led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, has shifted its focus to challenging corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. ADF's new initiative, the Viewpoint Diversity Score, ranks corporations based on their commitment to viewpoint diversity and freedom of expression. This article explores the implications of ADF's shift in focus and the potential consequences for companies targeted by its anti-DEI campaign.
ADF's Viewpoint Diversity Score ranks 75 corporations on 42 benchmarks, evaluating their commitment to viewpoint diversity and freedom of expression. The initiative aims to "expose" companies that ADF believes are engaging in censorship, enabling cancel culture, or taking divisive stands on controversial political issues. Jeremy Tedesco, ADF's senior counsel and senior vice president of corporate engagement, has stated that the goal is to pressure companies to change their policies and promote viewpoint diversity (ADF, 2025).
ADF's anti-DEI campaign could have significant legal and reputational risks for targeted companies. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admission v. Harvard in 2023 increased the legal risk for corporations that adopt policies treating employees, vendors, or customers differently based on immutable characteristics. ADF's Viewpoint Diversity Score could be used to challenge companies that fail to meet its standards, potentially leading to lawsuits or legal battles (Source: ADF's letter to Fortune 1000 companies).
Moreover, companies targeted by ADF's campaign may face reputational risks. Public exposure campaigns, such as those led by Robby Starbuck, have resulted in companies abandoning DEI policies and the HRC's Corporate Equality Index. Companies that are perceived as supporting divisive ideologies or discriminatory practices may face backlash from consumers, employees, and investors, leading to a damaged reputation and potential loss of business (Source: Fox News Digital).
ADF's Viewpoint Diversity Score could also influence corporate policies and shareholder decisions. Companies that score low on the index may face pressure from ADF and its supporters to change their policies, impacting employee relations and freedom of expression. Shareholders, especially those who align with ADF's views, may use the score as a factor in their investment decisions, potentially impacting a company's stock price and market position.
In conclusion, ADF's shift towards targeting corporate DEI policies represents a strategic pivot from its previous focus on social issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. The Viewpoint Diversity Score could have significant legal and reputational consequences for targeted companies, as well as potential impacts on corporate policies and shareholder decisions. As ADF continues to pressure companies to change their policies, it remains to be seen how corporations will respond to this growing backlash against DEI initiatives.
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