Apple Signs Open Letter Opposing 'Anti-LGBTQ' State Legislation

[MacRumors]

Apple and over 40 U.S. companies have signed a letter opposing several "anti-LGBTQ" legislation bills currently being considered in courts across the country (via AL.com).

The open letter, drafted by the Human Rights Campaign and published Wednesday, argues that measures proposed in the bills would harm LGBT staff and negatively impact the companies that employ them.

"These bills would harm our team members and their families, stripping them of opportunities and making them feel unwelcome and at risk in their own communities," the letter states. "As such, it can be exceedingly difficult for us to recruit the most qualified candidates for jobs in states that pursue such laws, and these measures can place substantial burdens on the families of our employees who already reside in these states."

[...]

"America's business community has consistently communicated to lawmakers at every level that such laws have a negative effect on our employees, our customers, our competitiveness, and state and national economies."

The letter is signed by tech giants Apple, Amazon, AT&T, Dropbox, Google, IBM, Lyft, Microsoft, PayPal, Salesforce and Uber, along with many other major corporations including Capital One, Ikea, Levi Strauss, Marriott International, Nike, Danone North America, Mars, Nestle USA and Unilever.

Apple has taken a strong position on inclusion and equality under CEO Tim Cook's watch. In 2015, Apple joined 378 other companies urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of marriage equality. More recently, Apple argued for LGBT worker protections in a 2019 joint amicus filing with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cook has consistently pushed for inclusion and diversity, which Apple refers to as its "greatest strength" on its website. "To create products that serve everyone, we believe in including everyone."

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple Signs Open Letter Opposing 'Anti-LGBTQ' State Legislation

 

[newyorksole]

Sad that sexuality has to be such an issue. Sad that rights for certain groups of humans still have to be fought for.

Happy that Apple and the others aren’t afraid to take a stand. If companies and executives want to make people’s lives better and allow them to have more opportunities, I’m all for it.

These companies can make their profits AND speak on social issues as well.

 

[Prof.]

I swear, straights think more about gay people and gay sex than gay people do... y'all got something you wanna tell us?

 

[chrono1081]

LGBT people deserve equal rights, period, end of story. There is literally no valid argument anyone can make against that, not even religion because guess what, your religion should have ZERO bearing on anyone else's life.

 

[The Phazer]

Apple has taken a strong position on inclusion and equality under CEO Tim Cook's watch.

No, they really haven't.

While the App Store censorship requirements still exist and frequently take aim at different sexualities and sexual expression this is bluntly a lie.

 

[WaxedJacket]

What Anti-LGBTQ legislation are they're referring to?

 

[applesith]

Yet Apple caves to governments like China who are very bad for human rights. But hey cherry pick when you care.

 

[wolfshades]

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Just have to say, I’m grateful to MacRumors for this precaution. Without it, you just know drive-by homophobes would be weighing in.

 

[Rojaaemon]

Since absolutely no facts relating the specific content of these laws, the specific legislators or parties which propose or support the laws and why, or any information about where these laws are being proposed and argued about, it's impossible to have a meaningful opinion on this story.

Perhaps MacRumors can provide more information.

 

[Daalseth]

I swear, straights think more about gay people and gay sex than gay people do... y'all got something you wanna tell us?

When the dignity of one person is denied, all of us are denied.

Hubert H. Humphrey

 

[himanshumodi]

What legislation is being considered? Would be useful to mention some specifics if they want the general public to be moved by this open letter.

 

[TonyC28]

What Anti-LGBTQ legislation are they're referring to?

Good question. Might have made sense to include that in the article.

 

[Hodar1]

These are the bills https://www.aclu.org/legislation-affecting-lgbt-rights-across-country

Some prevent Boys who identify as girls, from competing against Girls in sports. So we don't have what we are seeing now, become the norm.

Some prevent Doctors from giving per-pubescent (ie. children) drugs that prevent adolescent hormones; thus preventing the person from naturally entering puberty. Such drugs can lead to life-long sterility, psychological, and biological disorders. We DO NOT KNOW all the future ramifications of intentionally interfering with a naturally occurring life stage (ie. adolescence). We do know that permanent sterility is a very likely scenario.

Now, a child cannot buy a home, sign a contract, get married, or enter into any legally binding arrangement - because they are a CHILD. But, they can, and are wise enough to make the decision to PERMANENTLY alter their bodies, before legal adulthood, or even entering puberty - and this is apparently offensive to people?

How about let their bodies reach maturation - then mutilate it any way you want to; when are are a legal adult, when it's entirely YOUR decision, and not when you are pressured by one parent or the other. Seems like sanity to me.

 

[Carmenia83]

How about let their bodies reach maturation - then mutilate it any way you want to; when are are a legal adult, when it's entirely YOUR decision, and not when you are pressured by one parent or the other. Seems like sanity to me.

You're on to something here. When are we going to make circumcision illegal?

 

[Rogifan]

I swear, straights think more about gay people and gay sex than gay people do... y'all got something you wanna tell us?

Actually it’s gays who think everyone else is secretly gay.

 

[Falhófnir]

I swear, straights think more about gay people and gay sex than gay people do... y'all got something you wanna tell us?

The loudmouth ultra-zealot brigade, maybe. I think the vast majority of people are happy to live and let live however you choose, though.

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

Actually it’s gays who think everyone else is secretly gay.

nah, just the loud ones. you can almost predict the most homophobic politicians coming out or being caught soliciting gay sex at some point. happens a lot.

 

[BarrettF77]

The loudmouth ultra-zealot brigade, maybe. I think the vast majority of people are happy to live and let live however you choose, though.

Completely agree. I’d just prefer this stuff to move on. It’s none of my business what others do in their personal lives and what I do in mine is none of their business. But what I do know is a lot of people are making decisions-at a immature age or are succumbing you peer pressure to be “cool”.

It honestly has begun to feel like orientation etc is a popularity contest and a means of wanting attention. Please stop making it that MR included. I come to read about technology. Reddit is thankfully becoming a stronger and more relevant resource that aggregates a better feed.

I’m sure I’ll ruffle a few feathers, but in what world do we live in where we constantly feel the need to bring up sexual preference and spotlight it. I don’t go to work looking for it or outside the office. Keep private matters private. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Moonjumper]

These are the bills https://www.aclu.org/legislation-affecting-lgbt-rights-across-country

Some prevent Boys who identify as girls, from competing against Girls in sports. So we don't have what we are seeing now, become the norm.

Some prevent Doctors from giving per-pubescent (ie. children) drugs that prevent adolescent hormones; thus preventing the person from naturally entering puberty. Such drugs can lead to life-long sterility, psychological, and biological disorders. We DO NOT KNOW all the future ramifications of intentionally interfering with a naturally occurring life stage (ie. adolescence). We do know that permanent sterility is a very likely scenario.

Now, a child cannot buy a home, sign a contract, get married, or enter into any legally binding arrangement - because they are a CHILD. But, they can, and are wise enough to make the decision to PERMANENTLY alter their bodies, before legal adulthood, or even entering puberty - and this is apparently offensive to people?

How about let their bodies reach maturation - then mutilate it any way you want to; when are are a legal adult, when it's entirely YOUR decision, and not when you are pressured by one parent or the other. Seems like sanity to me.

Thank you for the link. There are also some pretty horrible ones in there. Religious exemptions from equality rights are not justifiable.

 

[GrumpyMom]

These are the bills https://www.aclu.org/legislation-affecting-lgbt-rights-across-country

Some prevent Boys who identify as girls, from competing against Girls in sports. So we don't have what we are seeing now, become the norm.

Some prevent Doctors from giving per-pubescent (ie. children) drugs that prevent adolescent hormones; thus preventing the person from naturally entering puberty. Such drugs can lead to life-long sterility, psychological, and biological disorders. We DO NOT KNOW all the future ramifications of intentionally interfering with a naturally occurring life stage (ie. adolescence). We do know that permanent sterility is a very likely scenario.

Now, a child cannot buy a home, sign a contract, get married, or enter into any legally binding arrangement - because they are a CHILD. But, they can, and are wise enough to make the decision to PERMANENTLY alter their bodies, before legal adulthood, or even entering puberty - and this is apparently offensive to people?

How about let their bodies reach maturation - then mutilate it any way you want to; when are are a legal adult, when it's entirely YOUR decision, and not when you are pressured by one parent or the other. Seems like sanity to me.

Indeed, some issues do require nuanced reflection and discussion. Unfortunately, at present, our society does not do nuance well.

For example, the matter of transgendered athletes participating in athletics against cisgender athletes poses challenges and questions of fairness that require compromises I've yet to see either side even discuss, let alone come close to finalizing to any kind of mutually respectful and compassionate conclusion.

Also, as someone with many friends and family in the LGBTQ community, I have seen it isn't really accurate to assume everyone within this broad grouping of subgroups is in lockstep on all the issues. There is much disagreement at times between people who identify with LGBTQ on the basis of sexual orientation vs. those who identify based on gender identification. Their interests do sometimes conflict. Some identify as both gay and transgender.

It is complicated. It requires nuance.

What is not complicated is that we are all human beings and we must make the effort to really listen to each other, treating each other with dignity. Nobody can instantly understand the other person's perspective. They might make assumptions, but they risk being wrong. It starts by listening to what each side feels they need and why.

At times all sides are guilty of blanking each other out. We can't go on pretending certain people don't exist or should not exist just because we don't like them. Or don't understand them. Or disagree with them. Or find them very inconvenient.

As for medical treatments for adolescents, it is concerning if we still lack all the long term safety data we need. But since I don't know what the outcomes are for early medical intervention vs. transitions made later in life, I am going to abstain from the discussion and let transgender people speak for themselves, and I will just listen.

 

[GreenPixel]

So, these companies support ruining women's sports and minors being able to make life-long decisions by mutilating themselves. Awesome. This "woke" culture needs to stop.

 

[chrono1081]

How about let their bodies reach maturation - then mutilate it any way you want to; when are are a legal adult, when it's entirely YOUR decision, and not when you are pressured by one parent or the other. Seems like sanity to me.

The problem is you literally don’t understand the situation. Not one bit. No one is mutilating anyone and the fact that you say that shows you never researched the issue.

Doctors who know far more about this than you do say that in extreme cases of gender dysphoria, puberty blockers are a better solution than letting someone go through puberty and suffer more gender dysphoria.

An entire team of medical professionals plus the individual make this determination, not one person or their parents.
[automerge]1584021476[/automerge]

So, these companies support ruining women's sports and minors being able to make life-long decisions by mutilating themselves. Awesome. This "woke" culture needs to stop.

Read my response above. No one is mutilating anyone.

 

[aevan]

How about let their bodies reach maturation - then mutilate it any way you want to;

So, sex reassignment surgery is “mutilation” to you? Any other worldview you’d like to share?

 

[BGPL]

They should really give a link or at least a synopsis to the legislation, it has some good points to it. Most here are making remarks about equality and have no idea what the legislation says. Some of it is very pro-LGBTQ in fact. Keep in mind the suicide rate for post-trans is on the rise, which tells us some need to make a more informed decision prior to permanently changing their bodies. How many mistakes did you make prior to turning 25 that you regret? We know the frontal lobe in males doesn't fully develop until about 25 years old, females a bit sooner. It's like getting laser eye surgery before your eye is finished developing - it's a huge mistake.

They also need to confront the trans men competing with females. This simply isn't fair, and it's ironic that some say it's about equality. There are still just two genders, and identification and a breast augmentation doesn't make you a female. There's times where we need to recognize equality and be inclusive, and there's times where we need to hold fast and stand by science to make factual decisions.

I think the pendulum may swing too far in the other direction if we're not careful.

 

[Brdl04]

So, these companies support ruining women's sports and minors being able to make life-long decisions by mutilating themselves. Awesome. This "woke" culture needs to stop.

Its 2020!! What a time to be alive!!