LAS VEGAS, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is among the nation's leading companies for workplace equality based on its policies and practices relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees, according to a prominent benchmarking organization.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has named MGM Resorts to its 2012 Corporate Equality Index along with 635 other major companies whose non-discrimination and benefits practices with respect to LGBT employees were analyzed for workplace inclusion.   

This is the seventh year that MGM Resorts has participated in the Corporate Equality Index assessment, which focuses on corporate standards ranging from policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to equality in health care benefits.

"This ranking demonstrates our Company's commitment to promoting human equality within our workplace as well as throughout our communities," said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International.  "It is our business imperative to attract and retain the very best employees by ensuring a level playing field for people from all walks of life."

The Corporate Equality Index 2012 report is available at www.hrc.org.

This year's report's findings:

• While the inclusion of sexual orientation in non-discrimination policies has become a standard since 2002, the addition of gender identity is now part of the policies of 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies for the first time, a growth rate of 1567 percent since 2002.
• The number of Fortune 500 companies offering domestic partnership benefits has increased by 76 percent since 2002.
• The greatest strides have come in area of transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage. As a result of new criteria instituted by HRC this year that is a requisite to a perfect score, companies offering comprehensive healthcare coverage to their transgender workers has increased to 207 from 85 last year and 49 in 2009. 

"Corporate America is leading the charge for equality in the workplace," said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  "We commend the businesses that participated in the CEI.  They understand that LGBT-inclusive workplace policies are the right thing to do and good business practices."

In 2000, MGM Resorts became the first company in the gaming industry to launch a voluntary diversity initiative and in 2004 it became the first company in the industry to offer same-sex health benefits to employees.  Earlier this year, MGM Resorts expanded the benefits of its health care program to cover counseling and hormone therapy services for transgender persons.

In addition to being a committed member of the Human Rights Campaign, MGM Resorts has been an active supporter of The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center), since 2002. The Company recently pledged a donation of $300,000 to The Center to support the construction of its new building.

About The Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

About MGM Resorts International

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a peerless portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage.  In addition to its 51% interest in MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino, the Company has significant holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and operates 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in three other properties in Nevada and Illinois. One of those investments is CityCenter, an unprecedented urban resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip featuring its centerpiece ARIA Resort & Casino. Leveraging MGM Resorts' unmatched amenities, the M life loyalty program delivers one-of-a-kind experiences, insider privileges and personalized rewards for guests at the Company's renowned properties nationwide. Through its hospitality management subsidiary, the Company holds a growing number of development and management agreements for casino and non-casino resort projects around the world. MGM Resorts International supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its gaming properties. The Company has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative, its community philanthropy programs and the Company's commitment to sustainable development and operations. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

Statements in this release which are not historical facts are "forward looking" statements and "safe harbor statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the U.S. the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other related laws that involve risks and/or uncertainties, including risks and/or uncertainties as described in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We have based those forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts.  In providing forward-looking statements, the Company is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.

SOURCE MGM Resorts International