Brown-Forman (NYSE:BFB)(NYSE:BFA) received a very good score of 85 points out of 100 in this year’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an increase of 65 points over last year’s tally of only 20 points. The 65-point swing represents the highest score increase achieved by any of the nearly 600 companies evaluated in successive years for their policies and practices affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) employees.

Brown-Forman’s CEI score escalated in 2009 because the company implemented domestic partner benefits regardless of gender or sexual orientation; created employee resource groups for GLBT, African-American, Hispanic, and female employees; is requiring mandatory training of all employees on diversity and sexual orientation in the workplace; amended its nondiscrimination policy to include transgender and sexual identity expression; and stipulated that its travel & entertainment and relocation policies could not exclude GLBT employees and/or their partners on that basis.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made this year in assisting all employees to be their true selves and contribute fully to the success of our company,” said Brown-Forman Chief Diversity Officer Ralph de Chabert. “Brown-Forman has long supported the GLBT community through sponsorship of major events, but we believe the steps we’ve taken recently are very important in communicating our inclusiveness as an organization.”

“It’s a good sign for equality issues when companies like Brown-Forman continue to pursue diversity initiatives even during a global recession,” stated Daryl Herrschaft, the Director of the Workplace Project for The Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization that works to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality. The HRC is perhaps best known for its annual Corporate Equality Index released each fall that provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and their policies and practices relating to GLBT employees.

Brown-Forman Corporation is a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Canadian Mist, Fetzer, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, Tuaca, Woodford Reserve, and Bonterra.