Over 150 business and organizations, including major employers in the state like MasterCard and Monsanto, have joined the Missouri Competes coalition “in support of a state that welcomes all people,” including members of the LGBT community.
The coalition was formed in response to the passage of SJR-39, a bill that would send to Missouri voters a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow businesses and individuals to refuse services to LGBT people. According to Missouri Competes, “this misguided bill would damage Missouri’s reputation and hamper our state’s ability to attract top talent, ultimately leading to tens of million of dollars in lost revenue.”
SJR-39 was passed by the Missouri Senate after Republican lawmakers used a rare procedural maneuver to end an unprecedented 39-hour Democratic filibuster blocking the legislation. At that time, MasterCard, which employs 3,000 people in the state, released a statement condemning “any legislation that has the potential to allow for discrimination in any form.”