Home goods retailer Lowe’s is making changes to its LGBTQ inclusion efforts in response to a conservative backlash against queer representation. The company is ending its participation in surveys for the Human Rights Campaign and combining employee resource groups into one organization. Lowe’s will also no longer sponsor or participate in community events such as pride parades. Despite previous recognition for diversity efforts, including a perfect score in HRC’s corporate equity index, the changes seem to specifically target LGBTQ representation. The move follows similar actions by other companies facing pressure from conservative activists, such as Harley Davidson and Brown-Forman. The leader of this campaign, Robby Starbuck, claims credit for forcing these changes at Lowe’s and other companies. The push against queer rights is part of a broader conservative effort against “woke” policies, with LGBTQ voices being silenced in the process. The Human Rights Campaign criticized the decision, warning that abandoning LGBTQ inclusion efforts based on political pressure is harmful to employees and customers. Overall, Lowe’s reversal on LGBTQ inclusion highlights the ongoing cultural battle over representation and inclusivity in corporate America.
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Lowe’s scales back DEI initiatives targeting LGBTQ communities
