“Today’s ruling continues to undermine the legal standing of hard-working LGBTQ+ people in the United States,” said Todd Sears, CEO and founder of Out Leadership
NEW YORK, NY – Out Leadership, the world’s premier global platform for businesses to drive LGBTQ+ equality, today denounced the U.S. Supreme Court for their anti-equality decision in the case of 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis which places the civil and human rights of LGBTQ+ people in greater peril.
The following statement can be attributed to Todd Sears, CEO and Founder of Out Leadership:
“Against the backdrop of nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced by legislatures across the nation this year, today’s ruling continues to undermine the legal standing of hard-working LGBTQ+ people in the United States and is harmful to our nation’s economy.
“As the world’s leading platform for multinational corporations to drive LGBTQ+ equality through business, we condemn the U.S. Supreme Court’s failure to protect LGBTQ+ consumers from discrimination. Today’s ruling will undoubtedly result in profound financial losses for American businesses as economic studies continually demonstrate that an unattractive business climate discourages investment, production, and talent development. Inequality costs every American, not only LGBTQ+ people, and harms local economies and our nation’s overall financial health. Therefore, the cost of today’s ruling can be calculated both in the increased inequality and discrimination LGBTQ+ people will face and the financial harm resulting from a nation that promotes inequality in a global marketplace.
“Out Leadership remains committed to advancing LGBTQ+ equality in the business world and beyond. We will continue our work with global companies and industry leaders to foster inclusive environments that empower LGBTQ+ individuals to bring their authentic selves to work, and to drive positive change in society.”
On June 1st, Out Leadership published the 5th Annual State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index, which ranks every US State on a 100-point scale for LGBTQ+ equality. For the first time, our nation’s average score declined by an average of 1.14 points.
Some of the Out Leadership research shows:
The 2023 State Business Climate Index rankings – the biggest surprises, movers, shakers, and declines in LGBTQ+ equality and access of all 50 states.
Discriminatory policies create unnecessary risk in the market for profit-maximizing businesses to operate.
When North Carolina passed HB2, Out Leadership joined a coalition of investors representing $2.1 trillion in assets to oppose the discriminatory law. The consequences of HB2 cost North Carolina over $395 million.
States that discriminate repulse top talent, alienate consumers, discourage investment, and prevent educators from equipping the next generation of workers.
24% of LGBTQ+ workers have already moved to a different city because of its attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people
36% of LGBTQ+ workers consider moving to a more inclusive state to live and work.
Prospective college students are shunning Florida over its anti-LGBTQ stances.
In 2021, when Texas banned certain banks that took political stances on guns and fossil fuels from underwriting municipal bonds, the reduction in competition cost Texas taxpayers an additional $500 million dollars in interest in just eight months. Texans paid heftily for the cost of discrimination.