Aug 28 (Reuters) - Automaker Ford Motor said on

Wednesday it will change its diversity, equity and inclusion

program, including ending participation in an LGBTQ advocacy

group's ranking system, joining several U.S. companies that have

redefined those programs amid pressure from conservative groups.

"We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide

range of beliefs, and the external and legal environment related

to political and social issues continues to evolve," Ford CEO

Jim Farley said in a memo to employees.

Several U.S. companies including JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ) and

Harley Davidson ( HOG ) recently modified their DEI policies,

and home-improvement retailer Lowe's joined their ranks

this week.

Corporate America stepped up its focus on diversity

initiatives after widespread protests against racial and gender

disparities in leadership following the police killings of

George Floyd and other Black Americans in 2020.

Of late, however, some companies have backtracked, altering

DEI programs meant to boost racial and ethnic representation at

workplaces in response to pressure from conservative legal

organizations. Some firms have received public shareholder

letters since 2021 saying their DEI programs constitute illegal

discrimination and a breach of directors' duties to investors.

Groups opposed to diversity policies have been energized by

the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2023 that struck down

affirmative action in university admissions, a ruling that does

not directly affect employers. Advocates in favor of greater

diversity have said the opposition to DEI threatens progress of

underrepresented groups in corporations, especially in

leadership roles.

Former President Donald Trump, current Republican candidate

for U.S. president, has been highly critical of DEI initiatives.

Farley said in the memo that the company would focus on

taking care of employees and customers "versus publicly

commenting on the polarizing issues of the day."

The Dearborn, Michigan-based company's employee resource

groups have evolved over the past year to focus on networking,

mentorship, professional development and community service, he

said.

Farley said Ford decided to stop participating early this

year in some external culture surveys, including one put

together by LGBTQ advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign, and

various "best places to work" lists.

Bloomberg earlier reported the Ford policy change.

Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist who has examined and

confronted companies over their employment policies, provided

the memo to Reuters. Ford confirmed the accuracy of the memo,

but declined to comment further.

"This isn't everything we want but it's a great start. We're

now forcing multi-billion dollar organizations to change their

policies," Starbuck said on social media platform X.

(Additional reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by

Rod Nickel)