BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For the ninth year in a row, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) achieved a perfect score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The index is a national benchmarking survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to measure corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workplace inclusion. The corporation was also cited as a 2017 Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

"At Lockheed Martin, our values to do what's right, respect others and perform with excellence guide everything we do. Respecting others means creating an environment where our employees feel welcomed and encouraged to bring their whole selves to work," said Rainia L. Washington, Lockheed Martin vice president of Global Diversity & Inclusion. "Inclusivity drives our success because different backgrounds, experiences and points of views have consistently helped us create incredible work, solve our customers' toughest challenges and engineer solutions around the world."

The 2017 Corporate Equality Index report features 1,043 employers and evaluated their LGBT-related policies and practices, including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. Lockheed Martin successfully satisfied all CEI's criteria, resulting in the 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

Lockheed Martin has long supported LGBT inclusion through employee resource groups, LGBT Leadership forums, and community initiatives. PRIDE, the corporation's LGBT resource group, was founded in 1981 and works closely with members to support the LGBT community internally and externally.

More information about Lockheed Martin's diversity and inclusion efforts is available at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/who-we-are/diversity.html.

More information on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About Lockheed Martin:

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin