Legislative Action Restricting LGBT Nondiscrimination Policies in North Carolina Disappointing for Small Businesses
Tim Gaudette, Outreach Manager for Small Business Majority, on the General Assembly's passage of HB 2 today, which undoes local nondiscrimination ordinances protecting LGBT individuals
The North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation during a special session today that invalidates local protections for LGBT individuals, which is disappointing news for small businesses. Small business owners support policies that create a safe and inclusive business environment because they believe they’re good for business, they help companies attract and retain talented employees and because it’s the right thing to do.
HB 2 prevents local governments from enacting any regulations that ban discrimination, like the ordinance recently passed by the Charlotte City Council expanding protections for LGBT individuals. Additionally, the bill creates a statewide nondiscrimination law that fails to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This is disappointing, as small business owners overwhelmingly support nondiscrimination policies for LGBT individuals.
In fact, Small Business Majority’s scientific opinion polling found more than two-thirds of small business owners in North Carolina believe state law should prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Sixty-three percent believe nondiscrimination policies improve the business’s bottom line by helping them attract and retain talented employees. Nationally, 8 in 10 entrepreneurs support policies protecting LGBT individuals against discrimination in public accommodations, such as restaurants, hotels and other businesses open to the public.
Small employers believe employees and customers alike deserve to be treated fairly and equally, and support policies protecting everyone from discrimination in the workplace and in public accommodations. We’re disappointed the General Assembly passed this legislation today instead of promoting a more inclusive business environment in North Carolina.
About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.