LGBT activists urge Amazon not to build HQ2 in nine states

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Texas has a law that bars teachers from discussing LGBT people or issues, and Tennessee bans cities from passing non-discrimination laws to protect sexual minorities.

It's why activists organized as "No Gay? No Way!" have launched a campaign urging Amazon.com Inc. to not choose cities in these two states and seven others as the location of the company's second headquarters. In Seattle on Thursday, a mobile truck billboard with the group's message will be driven around the Amazon's headquarters as an airplane banner is flown overhead as part of the effort.

The signs ask why Amazon would consider states that discriminate against LGBT people for the second headquarters, which Amazon calls HQ2.

Earlier this month, Amazon named the 20 HQ2 finalists. The company plans to spend $5 billion developing HQ2 where up to 50,000 Amazon employees will work.




https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2018/02/01/lgbt-activists-amazon-hq2-states-discriminate.html?ana=e_mc_prem&s=newsletter&ed=2018-02-01&u=ColXVN5SPzQtLHFP87ho2w07857290&t=1517511906&j=79764881#i/10777453

[hlthe2b]

1. Story is behind paywall, but here are the nine states beind protested

[hedda_foil]

2. That could really make a big difference in how the new location is selected.

Amazon knows that they can't attract top talent, especially top millennial talent to a place that has anti-LGBT laws or is likely to pass any.

I'd love for them to come to the Chicago area. There's a nice big site right off the highway in Oakbrook that will be available this summer when MacDonald's moves to the city. And it's in a major suburban area with great schools and amenities that should be attractive to that group as well. Otherwise, I doubt if Chicago will make the next cut however much Mayor Rahm offers them... too many people think it's gangland central.

[LeftInTX]

3. Sounds good to me.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

4. Are we even still in the running?

I'm not certain but most of those remaining states on the map in the article are right-to-work-for-less states.

[hedda_foil]

6. Amazingly enough, we still are.

I wonder whether Right to Work For Less states would have that much advantage in this case as it's a corporate campus where the vast majority of employees would be salaried. If I'm wrong, we can well and truly fuggedaboudit.

[LanternWaste]

5. Which in turn could lead many/some/a few GOP state legislatures to re-examine the relevant laws.

If Amazon does build in a blue state due to your premise, it could in turn could lead many/some/a few GOP state legislatures to re-examine the relevant laws with a cost/benefit analysis rather than the staid, tired ethical arguments they've been resting on since 1865.

For example, in the mid-nineties, I saw firsthand in TX the moral majority getting locked out of legislation after it was determined how much money the lottery would bring to Austin... against the will of the evangelical vote.