“LGBT activists are reacting with anger and dismay at the prospect that Apple might build its new corporate campus in North Carolina,” Ina Fried writes for Axios. “Apple has been one of the strongest corporate allies of the LGBT political movement, and its potential decision is seen as opening the floodgates for others that want to set up shop in states with anti-LGBT laws.”
“After being elected on the promise to nullify a state law that severely limited the rights of LGBT people, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper accepted a compromise that kept in place a ban on cities passing their own protections for LGBT citizens,” Fried writes. “Assuming it does choose North Carolina, Apple is likely to make the case that it can do more good as a part of the community than just as a highly vocal outsider. Apple will also likely point to its record of fighting for causes it believes in, including immigration issues and LGBT rights.”
“Of course, Apple isn’t saying anything right now, since it isn’t even confirming North Carolina as the likely site,” Fried writes. “Officials at national LGBT groups were hesitant to talk publicly about Apple’s move, both because they still hope Apple will change its mind and because the company has been a strong partner.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: For background, last March CNN reported:
In February 2016, the city of Charlotte passed a law banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in public accommodations and other areas.
North Carolina voided the Charlotte law with House Bill 2, the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which removed anti-discrimination clauses protecting the LGBT community and mandated that in government buildings people must use the bathroom or changing facility corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates.
Gov. Roy Cooper calls it a compromise, but many in the LGBT community say it doesn’t do enough.
According to professor Greg Wallace at Campbell Law School in Raleigh, it’s more about restoring the status quo, pre-HB 2, with one exception: The law forbids government entities from enacting rules on multiple-occupancy bathrooms, showers and changing rooms unless it’s “in accordance with an act of the General Assembly.”
It also bans local governments such as Charlotte from enacting or amending an “ordinance regulating private employment practices or regulating public accommodations” until December 1, 2020.
Then how will North Carolina differ from most states? It won’t. Only 19 states protect both public and private employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Another three protect employees based on sexual orientation.
North Carolina will also be in line with federal regulations. Though there have been bills proposing adding gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of protected classes, Congress has failed to pass any of them, Wallace said. “It’s interesting North Carolina is being singled out (by those opposing HB142) here because the federal law is the same, as are a majority of states,” he said.
SEE ALSO:
Apple close to deal to build major new campus in North Carolina’s Research Triangle pending tax breaks – May 17, 2018
Apple quietly explores Northern Virginia for 20,000-employee campus – May 16, 2018
Apple to build new U.S. campus, pay record $38 billion repatriation tax – January 18, 2018
Apple gives employees $2,500 bonuses after President Trump signed the GOP’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – January 17, 2018
Looks like Apple is bringing nearly all of its $250 billion foreign cash back home to America – January 17, 2018
Apple plans to add $350 billion to U.S. economy and create over 20,000 new jobs over next 5 years, pay $38 billion in repatriated taxes, the largest ever made – January 17, 2018
Apple objects to North Carolina law company says discriminates against LGBTs – March 28, 2016
Apple CEO challenges home state of Alabama on LGBT rights – October 27, 2014
North Carolina lawmakers OK tax incentives for Apple Inc. – May 27, 2009
North Carolina lawmakers push to give Apple massive tax break for $1 billion server farm investment – May 23, 2009
Did Apple followed the money over moral values ??
Dont just assume Apple will discriminate for money.
And Apple should hire based on skill
Don’t assume the entire LGBQ community are all fine folks peaches and cream either.
There are SOME that are peaches and cream? TASTE THE RAINBOW!!
There’s one set? Who rolled out That set? Shaming; the new thuggery.
Follow the money? While Apple may get some tax breaks, they could easily get as much or more, if they put it out for bid, like Amazon did. Their decision is based upon far more than just “money”.
Im a member of the LGBT community and personally think companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, etc should make it a point to open offices in non-inclusive states. Affect the change from within.
Im a member of the Zoroastrian community and personally think companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, etc should make it a point to open offices in non-inclusive states. Affect the change from within.
Exactly.
One of the things helping conservatives politically is that they are widely distributed in the US, while many who are more liberal tend to concentrate in fewer areas. This is how we can have elections where over 3 million more people voted for Ms Clinton (whom I did not vote for, BTW) yet Trump won. Most of the extra 3 million came from New York and California- states Trump had no chance of winning.
If you bother to look at the voting total, not that many people vote and a small swing can get a very different outcome. A few thousand votes in 4 close states put Trump in the White House.
Now LGBT dictates private companies policies. To the Hell with them.
Emerson, Apple supports LGBT values. Nobody in that community is trying to dictate their policies. The issue is whether North Carolina is dictating their policies. Some earlier versions of the NC “bathroom ban” applied to private parties. Even the current version will affect private company employees and customers who wish to use public facilities. It also prohibits the citizens of any NC municipality from adopting local ordinances concerning discrimination.
As I said the other day in connection with Tim Cook’s commencement address at Duke, Job One for any company is attracting, hiring, and retaining the very best talent. Like it or not, qualified high-tech universities and their graduates are not distributed in proportion to the Electoral College.
They tend to be found in places like Silicon Valley, Austin, and the Research Triangle. Most people in those places have some relatives or friends who are non-closeted members of the LGBT community. They do not fancy living in states where finding a place to go to the bathroom is as big a challenge as it was for African-Americans in the South before the Civil Rights Act.
So, the question is whether Apple plans to affect NC policies from within, or make a statement by staying out. In neither case is the LGBT community dictating their policy.
Nonsensical comparison with African Americans. I think the African-American population of the USA would like a word with you The law says use the bathroom intended for your gender. Gay men aren’t allowed in men’s rooms? They should NOT be allowed in ladies changing rooms or bathrooms just because they are gay. That’s common sense. Are you actually saying that gay men being prevented from using the ladies room are being discriminated against and its just as bad as the racial discrimination against the African Americans in the South?
WOW. STFU and use the men’s room FCOL.
If you don’t understand that gay men and transgender women are two mutually exclusive categories, there is no point in trying to explain the difference.
One of the founders of Apple Ron Wayne, is a Gay Man.
Get over it.
AGREE! Enough already, people need to mind their own business already.
So the rights and “feelings” of a minority’s trump the rights and feelings of others?
Why?
There are a lot more little girls that will be traumatized by an oddball guy in the locker room than the other way around.
Wait, so the LGBT are up in arms over this but the Q’s aren’t?
Is there an unforeseen divide coming betwixt the LGBT and the Q’s?
Not sure why this is news. “Sit down, shut up and obey” has always been the left wing’s mantra.
Well if Apple can open stores in the Middle East where homosexuality is illegal then opening a campus in Nth Carolina shouldn’t be a problem.
But then again, Cook and co. aren’t known for their consistency.