Impact of Anti-LGBT Policies on North Carolina Small Businesses Focal Point of Roundtable Discussion
Interactive roundtable discussion open to all small businesses; chance for entrepreneurs to discuss North Carolina’s new anti-LGBT law and its impact on small businesses
Charlotte, N.C.—Advent Coworking, in conjunction with small business advocacy organization Small Business Majority, will host an interactive roundtable discussion on Thursday, April 22 on the impact of North Carolina’s new anti-LGBT law, HB 2, on small businesses and how small business owners can benefit from more robust nondiscrimination policies.
Scientific opinion polling from Small Business Majority shows more than two-thirds of entrepreneurs believe federal and state laws should prohibit employment discrimination against gay and transgender people, and that employers should not be able to fire or refuse to hire someone who is gay, lesbian or transgender based on the employer’s religious beliefs. What’s more, the poll also revealed seven in 10 small employers already thought such laws existed.
“We need small business owners to engage in candid conversations with policymakers and fellow small business owners about HB 2,” said Kevin Giriunas, co-founder of Advent Coworking in Charlotte, N.C. “Promoting an open and safe environment for employees makes good business sense, and discriminatory laws like HB 2 threaten to drive away talented employees and loyal customers. We have to talk about how to promote a more open business environment in North Carolina.”
The free event, which is open to all small business owners, will feature Small Business Majority’s Outreach Manager Tim Gaudette, who will help facilitate discussions with about how HB 2 can impact small businesses and the need for nondiscrimination policies in North Carolina.
A question and answer period will follow the discussion.
“Our polling shows small business owners don’t favor discriminatory laws. Our polling in North Carolina actually found 67 percent of North Carolina entrepreneurs believe the state should have a law prohibiting employment discrimination against gay and transgender people, said Gaudette. “Small business owners understand that an open business environment can help attract the best and brightest employees, regardless of whether an employee is gay or transgender, and improve their bottom lines.”
This in-person event will take place on Friday, April 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Advent Coworking in Charlotte. Small business owners can register for the event here.
For more information, please contact Cassie Mills, Communications Manager for Small Business Majority at (202) 289-0957or [email protected].
About Advent Coworking
Advent Coworking is a creative coworking community, art gallery, podcasting studio, and event space in Charlotte, N.C.
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.