Businesses, organizations, and individuals around the country have been speaking out against HB 2. Here’s what they have to say:
American Airlines: “American Airlines has long been a pioneer in its fair-minded policies and practices for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) customers and employees. We believe no individual should be discriminated against because of gender identity or sexual orientation. Laws that allow such discrimination go against our fundamental belief of equality and are bad for the economies of the states in which they are enacted.”
Apple: "Apple Stores and our company are open to everyone, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, how they worship or who they love. That's why we support the federal Equality Act. Our future as Americans should be focused on inclusion and prosperity, and not discrimination and division. We were disappointed to see Governor McCrory sign this legislation."
Bank of America: "Bank of America has been steadfast in our commitment to nondiscrimination and our support for LGBT employees through progressive workplace policies and practices. We support public policies that support nondiscrimination."
Bayer: "We have zero tolerance for discrimination. We say NO to #NCGA. We continue to support all of our employees & remain on the side of equality."
Biogen: "Biogen opposes #NCGA attempt to undermine equality in NC via #HB2. We support advancing the power of difference."
Citrix: "Citrix believes in a world that is secure & open for all. We value diversity in our workforce & lives."
Davidson College: “Our non-discrimination policy remains unchanged. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender or sexual orientation. Regarding restroom use in particular: at Davidson College, everyone is invited to please continue to use the restrooms in which you feel most comfortable.”
Dow Chemical: "Dow is disappointed in the passage and signing of HB2. The decision to overturn Charlotte's non-discrimination ordinance undermines equality and sanctions discrimination of North Carolinians and its visitors. Dow seeks to promote a culture of innovation, excellence and inclusion, and believes the equal treatment of all individuals, irrespective of our differences, enables individuals and families to thrice, businesses and communities to prosper and economies to grow. We will continue to call for a comprehensive federal framework that ensures fairness an opportunity for everyone."
Duke University: “Duke University values every individual. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, which makes us a better and stronger community. For that reason, we deplore any effort to deny any person the protection of the law because of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Elon University: “Elon does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The new law does not apply to private institutions and will not impact Elon’s policies and practices. We wish to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for every member of our community. In regard to the use of restrooms, we reaffirm our position that individuals should use facilities in which they feel most comfortable and align with their gender identity. To support the needs of our community, Elon maintains a list of more than 90 single-occupancy universal bathrooms on campus that protect the privacy of the users.”
Facebook: "We are disappointed by the recent events in North Carolina. As a company, Facebook is an open and vocal supporter of equality. We believe in ensuring the rights of LGBT individuals and oppose efforts that discriminate against people on the basis of their gender identity or sexual orientation."
Google: "We oppose all laws that enable or encourage discrimination. We've been steadfast in our efforts to eliminate discrimination against the LGBT community -- including through our vocal opposition to Prop 8, our filing of legal briefs in opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act, the benefits we provide same-sex couples at Google, and by drawing attention to the issue globally through various international campaigns, our doodle for the Sochi Olympics, support for the "It Gets Better" project, and sharing positive stories from the transgender community, like "the Story of Jacob and City Gym."
IBM: "We are disappointed by the passage of HB2 in the North Carolina General Assembly because this measure will reduce, rather than expand, the scope of anti-discrimination protection in the state. IBM will continue to follow its global non-discrimination policies in the workplace, and believes that an inclusive and welcoming environment is the best way to attract talented individuals to our company."
Janet Mock: “YES! Support @ACLU_NC in their fight against North Carolina's anti-trans legislation.”
Know Your IX: “As anti-violence organizations dedicated to ending gender violence in schools, we have seen legislators across the country refuse to act on staggering rates of gender violence against young people. Their attempts to now co-opt our concerns to discriminate against trans students – those students most in need of protection – is unconscionable.”
Laverne Cox: “Stay strong. This law is clearly unconstitutional and will not survive a court challenge. Let's let this mobilize us.”
Lowe’s: "Lowe's recognizes and values the rich diversity of our employees, the customers we serve and the communities where we do business each day. We welcome all people to our stores. Lowe's opposes any measure in any state that would encourage or allow discrimination."
Marriott: "Not only are we disappointed by the legislative process that provided no time to weigh in, we're concerned that the bill substance relating to LGBT rights runs counter to our non-discrimination policies and will adversely impact the travel industry to North Carolina. Despite this legislation, our guests and associates - regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity - will remain respected in our hotels."
Mia Farrow: “This is how cowardly and despicable the Republican-controlled leadership of North Carolina is.”
Montel Williams: “Disappointed in #ncleg and @PatMcCroryNC – we’re still focused on sticking it to #lgbt people in 2016? Embarrassed to be a conservative.”
Motion Picture Association of America: An MPAA official on Thursday said that the studios oppose “any law that legitimizes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”
NBA: "The NBA is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all who attend our games and events. We are deeply concerned that this discriminatory law runs counter to our guiding principles of equality and mutual respect and do not yet know what impact it will have on our ability to successfully host the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte."
National Association of Social Workers: “Social workers are expected to practice in a non-discriminatory way. Our NASW Code of Ethics is the core of our profession and such discrimination is inherently against our practice.”
North Carolina Society for Human Resource Management: “@ncshrm & its over 6000 HR leaders from across NC do not support discrimination of any kind. Diversity is good for NC business. #equalitync”
North Carolina AFL-CIO: “If enacted, it would have North Carolina join Mississippi as the only state without any state law protecting private sector employees from workplace discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age or disability.”
North Carolina Justice Center: “As national outrage, international businesses’ condemnation, and negative press pours in today over yesterday’s session, all make clear that HB2 is nothing short of a disgrace to our state. HB2 makes no one safer – in fact it does just the opposite. It solves no real problems, but creates plenty; it fails to consider the vast experience of 18 other states and over 200 communities (including Columbia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) who operate under the same language as the Charlotte ordinance, all without incident; and once again, harms this state’s business reputation as well as local citizens’ ability to govern themselves.”
North Carolina League of Municipalities: "Placing limits on local decisions-making authority ultimately is a limit on the political power of local residents. Those residents can and do hold local officials responsible for their decisions. The league has and will continue to oppose legislation like this which pre-empts local decision-making and undermines the political power of local residents."
North Carolina NAACP: “We demand equal protection under the law for ALL, not the privileged few. Shame on the #ncga.”
North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence: “The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence opposes all violence and are concerned about the additional violence transgender people may face because of the passage of House Bill 2.”
NCAA: “Our commitment to the fair treatment of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, has not changed and is at the core of our NCAA values. It is our expectation that all people will be welcomed and treated with respect in cities that host our NCAA championships and events.”
North Carolina State University: “Many members of our NC State community are understandably concerned about how House Bill 2, passed by the North Carolina Legislature and signed into law by the Governor Wednesday night, could impact individuals at NC State. There are also questions about how the new law affects our university’s strong nondiscrimination policy. We will of course follow federal and state laws, and at the same time we will also work to promote respect and inclusiveness for all people on our campus, and to accommodate the needs of all in our university community.”
PayPal: "Inclusion is one of our core values and we are proud to champion LGBTQ equality in N. Carolina and around the world.”
Planned Parenthood Votes South Atlantic: “Pat McCrory has proven that he puts his own politics over the safety of the LGBT community in North Carolina.”
Rob Reiner: “Until this hateful law is repealed and LGBT North Carolinans are treated with the equal dignity they deserve, I will not film another production in North Carolina, and I encourage my colleagues in the entertainment industry to vow to do the same. Enough is enough.”
Sister Song: “Every lawmaker that supported this law is complicit in the disrespect, violence, abuse and the denial of human dignity that transgender people face in our state. But it goes beyond North Carolina. This law sends a message of hate throughout the country.”
Wake Forest University: “This legislation is a step backwards for North Carolina. By enacting this bill, our lawmakers have stripped important legal protections from gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people across the state. The impacts of HB 2 will be felt both on the individual level, as LGBTQ people face discrimination in the most quotidian areas of everyday life, and on the statewide level, as our local businesses and industry are unable to attract and retain top talent.”
