Small Businesses Against Discrimination

If You’re a Big Business, and You Believe in Protecting LGBTQ People from Discrimination, Click Here to Learn About Our America Competes coalition.

Small business owners across the United States are standing together to oppose discrimination and to support comprehensive nondiscrimination laws that protect all Americans, including LGBTQ people.

These business owners know that workforce development, innovation, tourism, economic growth, and quality of life are linked – and that environments that are welcoming to LGBTQ people are more competitive on all of these measures. They know that these same environments give their employees fair and equal opportunities to live, work, earn a living, send their kids to school, raise their families, and participate in their communities.

More than 1200 small businesses have signed on to America Competes’ Small Businesses Against LGBTQ Discrimination coalition. These businesses are open to all customers and employees. They want those customers and employees to have equal opportunities not just at work and in their operations but in their communities, too. These small business owners agree with bipartisan majorities – nationally and in all 50 states – that LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections are in line with the American values of hard work, mutual respect, and opportunity.

Our small business coalition includes small business owners from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and from industries ranging from agriculture to construction to hospitality.

The Small Businesses Against LGBTQ Discrimination Pledge

Small business leaders know that being open to the public means being open to everyone. Inclusion and diversity are critical to a thriving economy and dynamic workforce. Small business leaders across the country affirm the need for comprehensive nondiscrimination that prohibits unequal treatment against LGBTQ people and oppose all efforts to undermine or exempt businesses from the inclusive policies that benefit our businesses and our communities.

Support for LGBTQ Non-Discrimination is Strong Among Small Business Leaders

According to a November 2017 survey from Small Business Majority:

65% of small business owners believe that businesses should not be able to cite their religious beliefs as a reason for denying goods or service to an LGBTQ person.

59% of small business owners believe that legislation permitting discrimination on religious grounds is bad for business.

68% of small business owners say they favor a federal law protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in places of public accommodation, including hotels, businesses, and restaurants.

Partner Organizations

Thank you to our partner organizations and Chambers of Commerce who are joining us in advocating for LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination protections!

Small Business Leaders Against LGBTQ Discrimination

Small Businesses Against LGBTQ Discrimination