Values Based Investing and the LGBTQIA+ Community

Investing according to one’s personal values isn’t a new phenomenon. Over the years, there have been several iterations of values-based investing, the definition of which has expanded as investors and the general public become increasingly aware of its potential far-reaching impacts.

For instance, the notion of ethical investing typically meant refraining from investing in businesses related to tobacco, alcohol, gambling, etc. Then came socially responsible investing, which encompassed a broader range of companies tied to specific values. Now we have (Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing that considers how a company’s operations may impact the environment, the greater social good, and/or sound corporate governance.

Part of this ESG approach also takes into account social inclusivity. Giving full, equitable consideration to the LGBTQIA+ community¹ and its allies is an important part of the movement toward being inclusive. This fair consideration extends to investing, where increasingly the LGBTQIA+ community is committed to ensuring that its core values are reflected in their investment choices. As the saying goes, “money is not neutral. Where capital flows, culture follows.” This credo is at the heart of values-based investing and the impact it can have on society at large.

What values-based investing really means

Values based investing asks a simple question: How can our capital reflect what matters most, while still supporting long term financial goals? Values based investing integrates personal or institutional values into portfolio construction alongside traditional financial analysis.

For instance, most investors know ESG at a high level: climate change, water scarcity, broad governance issues. Values based investing goes deeper. It lets you articulate specific priorities—such as LGBTQIA+ equality, safety and representation—and translate them into investable criteria.

If you think about it, we already express our values in everyday decisions: avoiding a brand because of how it treats employees, or choosing one coffee shop over another because it supports local farmers. Values-based investing is simply the portfolio-level version of that instinct, but with more structure and precision. You get to define what matters most, whether that’s fair LGBTQIA+ representation, data privacy, or avoiding industries that don’t align with your beliefs and values.

From principle to practice

“What does LGBTQ+ inclusion actually look like inside a portfolio?” It starts with a framework that cuts through the jargon and brings real definition to what investors are aiming to achieve. 

Common misconceptions

When considering values-based investing, people often ask, “Will this approach negatively impact my investment returns?” The short answer: purpose and profit can coexist. While past performance is not guaranteed, there may be a connection between inclusive policies and stronger talent retention, brand durability and long term resilience. Modern investors are demanding greater transparency about who they are investing in and why, reflecting a broad shift toward integrating values-based considerations into investment decisions without sacrificing performance potential. In an ever-changing landscape, firms embracing these principles are doing right by stakeholders and maintaining corporate performance goals and investment returns as priority areas of focus.

You can keep a portfolio disciplined by:

•  Anchoring the portfolio to a familiar benchmark, such as the S&P 500 Index
• Layering in your personal values
• Managing tracking error, which measures how much the portfolio deviates from its benchmark

Indeed, when you structure your portfolio to reflect the broader market—diversified, balanced and aligned with the S&P 500 benchmark—while staying true to what matters most, you’ve got a strong framework for values-based investing.

Why it matters, especially now

LGBTQIA+ clients often navigate unique planning considerations: family formation, chosen- family estate planning, healthcare access, and an evolving, oftentimes highly complex legal landscape. Values based investing acknowledges these realities and offers LGBTQIA+ clients and allies a way to:

• Support companies that protect LGBTQIA+ rights and dignity
• Avoid companies that fund harmful legislation or practices
• Affirm identity by aligning capital with community and lived experience
• Maintain disciplined portfolio construction aligned with long-term financial goals

“Money talks”—and increasingly, investors want their money speaking for their values and beliefs. Values based investing empowers you to align capital with your personal identity, purpose and community impact, while maintaining the financial discipline required to help you reach your long-term goals.

As inclusivity becomes a material business factor, and as demographics continue to evolve, this values-based approach isn’t a trend that will disappear any time soon. The future of investing is already here! Speak to a Corient Wealth Advisor to learn more about values-based investing and how you can align your invested assets with those values that matter most to you.

¹Source: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/lgbtqia/   While open to some degree of interpretation, typically the term “LGBTQIA+” stands for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and/or Ally, Non-binary.”

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5182955 – February 2026