Lowe’s, a popular home goods retailer in the United States and Canada, has decided to rethink its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts for LGBTQ+ employees and customers.
It’s the latest in a long line of companies that have pulled back DEI policies after backlash was felt by conservatives targeting queer representation in public. The company sent out an internal memo to share the news with employees about ending its participation in surveys for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the country’s biggest LGBTQ advocacy group.
Pulling Back from LGBTQ Support
After withdrawing its support and connection to the HRC, the company noted that it would also reorganize its support group to be an umbrella for all minority employees.
Lowe’s also said it would end future sponsorship and participation in pride parades, festivals, and fairs. In 2019, Lowe’s was a corporate sponsor of the Pride parade in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company remains a sponsor of events focused on safe and affordable housing, disaster relief, and skilled trades education.
The Company Is Targeting LGBTQ Initiative
Although it was initially speculated that Lowe’s was pulling its support from all DEI efforts, the changes only affected LGBTQ representation.
The chain has previously won praise as a champion for diversity within its internal structure. It earned a perfect score in the HRC’s corporate equity index that looks at policies regarding LGBTQ workers.
Praise for Racial Diversity
In 2018, Marvin Ellison, an African American CEO, was promoted to the company’s top position.
This past June, Ellison was named the Ethical Leader of the Year by the Society for Human Resource Management, the country’s largest HR organization.
Continuing Efforts of Diversity
The website is still operating a page dedicated to the company’s diversity efforts.
As per the Lowe’s website, “We’re committed to fostering a culture where every member of the Lowe’s team truly feels they belong,” it says. “When associates can be their authentic selves at work, they perform at their best — and when that happens, we all win.”
What Does DEI Offer?
In a large company, DEI is used as a framework to help support the fair treatment and full participation of people from different minority groups.
In many instances, the DEI sector of a company can work with employees who face racial, sexual, or gender-based discrimination. In the past few years, many companies have put an effort into specific LGBTQ policies to help all employees and customers feel welcome and supported.
What DEI Means for LGBTQ Employees
In June 2020, the Supreme Court ruled a landmark decision that called to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status. Title VII ruled that a person could not be fired or discriminated against based on their sex or gender expression.
Equality-based acts and laws like these are meant to protect employees legally. A DEI initiative in the workplace can be a resource for employees to use to understand their rights.
Lowe’s Makes a Statement
A spokesperson for the company noted that the changes are firm but “may make additional changes over time.”
It’s unclear what more changes they could roll out after canceling their gender and sexual affirming initiatives.
MAGA Backlash
Many are speculating that the recent changes come as a rash of MAGA Republicans have been calling out companies with DEI initiatives and even calling for public boycotts.
The backlash is being led by an influencer, Robby Starbuck. He noted on X, formerly Twitter, that on Monday, he “messaged Lowe’s executives last week to let them know that I planned to expose their woke policies.” He claims that in the morning, he woke up to an email describing the big changes.
Other Companies Cancelling DEI Initiatives
Other companies that have canceled their DEI initiatives are Tractor Supply, John Deere and Harley Davidson. Starbuck also called out these companies for their “woke” policies.
The backlash against Lowe’s has been fanned by extremist and ultra-right wing groups online.
Go Woke Go Broke
Despite companies like Lowe’s claiming that they make their internal decisions independent of internet messages, this isn’t the first time that a company has laid down its precious support because of conservative complaints.
Just a few years ago, Bud Light faced massive backlash after partnering with a transgender influencer during their Pride Month campaign. Large groups of people against the LGBTQ-friendly content massed together to boycott the company, forcing its holding company to lose substantial money on the stock market.
Companies Become More A-Political
In On August 19, Harley-Davidson wrote on X that it did not have a DEI office since April after being contacted several times by Starbuck and his followers. The company added that their staff would “be absent of socially motivated content.”
The move away from polarizing political content is likely an effort for companies to appeal to all customers.
