Companies across the country have been ending their DEI programs to appease the far-right so which ones still support us and which ones need a lesson in the almighty pink dollar?
INTRO
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Companies around the world have been changing their policies when it comes to hiring, promoting, or supporting outside groups to appease a minority of neo-Nazis. In a coming episode, we'll talk about Stochastic Terrorism and a man named Robby Starbuck who we found in our research for this episode as the main reason a majority of these Fortune 500 companies changed everything they're doing.
But for now, it is important to note that in the United States, it is against the law for employers to discriminate against potential or current employees based on their sex, race, disabled status, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. In each of the following cases, you might notice companies breaking these laws which opens them up to lawsuits from current or potential employees. But because of the scale of these actions, courts might force a class action lawsuit when these cases eventually make their way to court.
We're going to cover companies and organizations which have ended their DEI programs and LGBTQ support to show you which companies no longer deserve the almighty pink dollar (or financial support from LGBTQ people). But we'll also cover their competitors who stand firm in their support so you have options on who to support instead. With that said, because this will be a constantly evolving list, we'll be updating our blog post at ProfessorPride.com linked in the description any time a company takes either side.
Please click on any of the following company names to learn more about what programs they ended.
First, let's discuss companies which ended their DEI and LGBTQ programs:
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
In a move no one expected, the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ political lobbying group in the United States, fired 20% of their workforce recently in a move they claim is because of the evolving political and financial landscape. You should know, they have boasted for years about exceeding their fundraising goals. In 2023, they wanted to raise $63 million but actually raised $85 million. In 2024, they raised $75 million but their expenses somehow stood at $89 million.
The worst part is, they are claiming this will help them do more to help LGBTQ people. They said in a statement, “We’re sharpening our focus on where we can make the most impact…This is about ensuring that we are agile and strategic in this moment.”
When reporters asked their CEO if the layoffs would weaken their influence or ability. Kelley Robinson dismissed those concerns, saying “If it’s our opposition asking that question, I think they do at their own peril. The best thing about being a queer person is that we have a history and legacy of confronting impossible challenges and coming out the other side.”
In other words, the Human Rights Campaign gave up fighting for us. They brought in $75 million and only had 230 staff members, 50 of which are being laid off this month. So, unless those employees were making $326,000 each, the financial standing of the organization should still be stable. They claim this will help them do more but they have 20% less staff to do it with. So, it’s hard to convince companies to take part in your equality index survey and help your cause when even the HRC is giving up in the face of political threats that have been there for the past 10 years.
WALMART
AMAZON
APPLE
BOEING
BROWN-FORMAN
CATERPILLAR
FORD MOTORS
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
JOHN DEERE
LOWE'S
MOLSON COORS
McDONALD'S
META
NISSAN
STANLEY BLACK & DECKER
TARGET
TRACTOR SUPPLY CO.
TOYOTA
ULINE
AMERICAN AIRLINES
STARBUCKS
Second, let's discuss companies which stand by their DEI and LGBTQ programs.
CISCO
Cisco's CEO, Chuck Robbins said in a recent interview, "I think the pendulum swings a little wide in both directions. And for us, it's about finding the equilibrium...You cannot argue with the fact that a diverse workforce is better. There's too much business value..."
COSTCO
DELTA
JPMORGAN CHASE
MICROSOFT
NASDAQ
SALESFORCE
POWERED BY RAINBOWS
With all of these companies, please remember we will be adding to our list on our website as more companies take one side or another. Remember, these companies only learn from the bottom line so for companies that stabbed us in the back and caved to terrorist demands on Twitter, maybe take your business elsewhere.
They will soon learn the true power of the pink dollar.
OUTRO