Mastercard has announced that it has partnered with BMO Harris and Superbia Credit Union to launch an ‘industry-first’ new card feature to help prevent LGBTQ+ discrimination.
The ‘True Name’ feature will allow members of the transgender/non-binary communities to use their ‘true’ name without the requirement of a legal name change on their bank cards from December 2019. One-third (32%) of individuals who have shown IDs with a name or gender that did not match their appearance reported negative experiences, such as being harassed, attacked and/or denied services, according to the LGBTQ+ media advocate, GLAAD Media Institute. It believes that the introduction of the ‘True Name’ feature will help ease this major pain point for the transgender and non-binary communities, enabling them to show up as who they are in their daily life.
‘CRUCIAL’ STEP
“Transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people are consistently placed at greater risk of discrimination, harassment, and overall denial of everyday services when their identification does not match their true identity,” explained Scott Turner Schofield with the GLAAD Media Institute.
“The implementation of Mastercard’s ‘True Name’ feature is a crucial step forward in helping to reduce these risks by allowing trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people to have financial products that accurately reflect who they are,” he added. “This new feature is a strong example of how companies can respond positively to customer feedback and ensure that their policies and products reflect a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and acceptance.”
Announced during World Pride 2019, the ‘True Name’ initiative was developed in response to a need for credit, debit and prepaid cards that reflect the true identities of many in the transgender and non-binary communities who are misrepresented when shopping and going about daily life. BMO Harris will implement the ‘True Name’ feature for personal ATM and debit cards from December this year, while Superbia Credit Union will enable the ‘True Name’ feature across their Mastercard portfolios in 2020.
“We are thrilled to have the very first issuers of the ‘True Name’ feature on board, allowing us to propel one of our key values, unconditional acceptance,” commented Cheryl Guerin, EVP Marketing & Communications at Mastercard. “At Mastercard, we strive to cultivate a culture of inclusion that extends both internally and externally. We are continuing to call on the industry to help us ensure that each and every person’s financial products can reflect their true identity.”
BOLD ACTION
“Breaking down barriers to inclusion requires bold action,” said Ernie Johannson, group head for North American Personal and US Business Banking at BMO. “We are bringing ‘True Name’ to BMO to embrace our cardholders’ true identities and empower them to make real financial progress without fear of discrimination.”
Adding to his comments, Myles Meyers, Founder of Superbia Credit Union, stated: “The sole focus of Superbia Credit Union is to work on behalf of the LGBTQ community to build and provide access to fair, non-discriminatory products and services in banking services. This means working alongside our partner organisations like Mastercard, who share in our vision, and to bring those solutions directly to community members.”
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