The so-called bathroom law would prohibit transgender people in Texas from using restrooms for their gender identities. The Senate in the state will vote on the legislation, while the House has already passed a bathroom law for schools. A similar law was already enacted in North Carolina to much controversy in 2016. Now tech companies are aligning in an effort to prevent the law being passed in Texas. A joint letter to Gov. Greg Abbott was signed by the following executives:
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) May 29, 2017 “As large employers in the state, we are gravely concerned that any such legislation would deeply tarnish Texas’ reputation as open and friendly to businesses and families,” the companies wrote Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. “Our ability to attract, recruit and retain top talent, encourage new business relocations, expansions and investment, and maintain our economic competitiveness would all be negatively affected.”
Pressure
At the moment, the companies are just putting pressure to halt the potential political act. However, none of the letter signatories have threatened to pull out of Texas. Although, it is worth remembering that some did leave North Carolina over similar legislation. PayPal is arguably the most notable. The company said last year it will not build its planned global operations center in Charlotte due to NC’s transgender bathroom law. “Discrimination is wrong and it has no place in Texas or anywhere in our country,” the companies wrote.
