There are moments in time when a bold idea becomes more than just a dream — it becomes proof that values and financial performance can go hand in hand. For me, the LGBTQ100 ESG Index was that proof.
My dream to prove our community matters on Wall St. and beyond was just a dream until leaders like Barney Frank, Billy Bean, Orlando Reese and Martina Navratilova joined my board of directors and helped me launch and manage this incredible endeavor.
Do companies that serve the LGBTQ community — at the very highest level, do better financially and collectively outperform the market because of their commitment to DEI and LGBTQ plus Equality?
We proved the answer was a yes.
The Incredible Value of the LGBTQ100 ESG Index for the LGBTQ Community
1. Financial Representation at the Highest Level
For the first time in history, a benchmark index explicitly placed LGBTQ equality at the heart of investment decision-making.
- Inclusion in the index became a badge of honor for corporations — proof they met tangible, measurable equality standards.
2. Turning Consumer Power into Shareholder Influence
The LGBTQ community in the U.S. wields an estimated $1.4 trillion in annual buying power.
- By directing investment into equality-driven companies, the index rewarded corporate allies and pressured laggards to adopt more inclusive policies.
3. First-of-its-Kind Visibility
When we launched the ETF tracking our index under the ticker “LGBT” on NASDAQ, it created unprecedented global visibility:
- Every time that ticker crossed a financial screen, it was a reminder that LGBTQ equality is woven into the fabric of the market.
4. Measurable Standards, Not Just Marketing
The LGBTQ100 ESG Index was rules-based, integrating:
- ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) performance data.
- Financial health metrics to ensure companies were both values-driven and economically strong.
5. Legacy of Financial Equality
Although the ETF itself was eventually liquidated, the concept and methodology live on:
- It educated investors — LGBTQ and allies alike — that they could align their portfolios with their identity and values.
From November 2019 to April 2021, the LGBTQ100 ESG Index delivered a total return of 43.84%, compared to the S&P 500’s return of 37.65% over the same period.
That’s an outperformance of 6.19 percentage points in less than two years.
We proved in 2020 that companies leading in DEI and Equality could outperform the market in a very consequential way.
This is more than an index — it’s a tool for financial civil rights. It shows that:
- Equality can be quantified.
- Inclusion can move markets.
- And our voice belongs in the boardroom as much as it does on the streets.
Reach out to me if you have interest in shaking things up again to support our community.
Bobby Blair is an LGBTQ media pioneer and leader known for his philanthropic work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. A Florida native, he lives in Fort Lauderdale with his longtime partner, Brian Neal. Blair was inducted into the GLBT Hall of Fame in 2015.
