Nearly 200 Texas Companies Join for LGBT Equality
Almost 200 companies across Texas, including 15 Fortune 500 companies, have joined together in a new organization in support of LGBT equality.
The organization, Texas Competes, believes that equality will be economically beneficial for the state. Alamo Drafthouse, Home Away, SXSW, Deep Eddy Vodka, and Whole Foods are some of the well-known Austin, TX companies to join Texas Competes. Texas Competes Managing Director Jessica Shortall states that the organization's priority is a show of force to the rest of the nation,
What we need to see is a Texas brand that is projecting that same kind of inclusive and diverse environment so that we can be sure that Texas and the businesses that call it home can attract the best talent.
As Texas goes, so goes the nation because we are so economically strong.
Austin's Home Slice Pizza is one of many companies to show support for LGBT employees. According to Home Slice co-founder Terri Hannifin, talent and ability are the most important factors in hiring someone, not sexual orientation,
Our business is all about our people, our employees are our business. We don't put up with that. We don't put up with making people feel uncomfortable or disrespected in any way.
Texas Competes states they do not lobby legislators and did not form as a result of religious freedom laws going into effect in other states. According to the organization's website,
In order for Texas businesses to compete for top talent, we must have workplaces and communities that are diverse and welcoming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Texas Competes' motto is, "A united Texas is a competitive Texas, and when Texas competes, Texas wins."
via KVUE
The complete list of Texas Competes pledge signers: