Jan 26, 2015
Equality NC to Launch Multistate "Equality Means Business" Campaign
Coordinated multistate campaign showcases business communities working for LGBT equality
NC | SC | VA – On Thursday, January 29, 2015, statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization Equality NC will launch “Equality Means Business,” a coordinated, multistate campaign with SC Equality (South Carolina), and Equality VA (Virginia), designed to showcase businesses working for LGBT equality.
On Thursday, media and the public are invited to attend Equality Means Business launch events in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina, as Equality NC, Equality VA, and SC Equality lay out goals of the campaign, spotlight local businesses, and outline how businesses can become more involved in the fight for equality in states across the South. North Carolina events include:
Raleigh | RSVP on Facebook
WHERE: DECO Raleigh, 19 West Hargett St. Raleigh, NC 27601
WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
WHO: Chris Sgro, executive director, Equality NC, and members of the local business community
WHAT: Raleigh reception to launch North Carolina’s Equality Means Business campaign
Charlotte | RSVP on Facebook
WHERE: Revolve, 1222 East Blvd Charlotte, NC 28203
WHEN: 6 p.m.
WHO: Crystal Richardson, advocacy director, Equality NC, and members of the local business community
WHAT: Charlotte reception to launch North Carolina’s Equality Means Business campaign
With the goals of improving each state’s reputation as a welcoming place to live, work, and visit, as well as improving the lives of the more than 500,000 LGBT people who call these states home, Equality Means Business will elevate employers that have adopted comprehensive non-discrimination policies, and who understand inclusivity and diversity is good for business.
In anticipation of the January 29th media events, Equality NC, Equality VA, and SC Equality released the following joint statement, highlighting a business effort the organizations believe is generating much-needed momentum for LGBT equality in the South.
“In North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, from the historic cobblestone streets of Alexandria, to the financial districts of Charlotte, to the bustling waterfront of Charleston, we’ve witnessed businesses taking the lead in this historic moment for LGBT equality. Through Equality Means Business, we are proud to elevate the voices and showcase the work of these fair-minded business leaders, who not only understand that treating their employees equally is the right thing to do and what’s best for the bottom line, but also how they can catalyze tremendous support for policies protecting hundreds of thousands more LGBT people living and working across our three states.”
Currently, there is no law in place in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment or public accommodations.
For more information about Equality NC’s program, visit: equalitync.org/business
For more information about Equality VA’s program, visit: equalityvirginia.org/EMB
For more information about SC Equality’s program, visit: scequality.org
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Raleigh: Chris Sgro, Executive Director, Equality NC, (919) 720.8204, csgro@equalitync.org
Charlotte: Crystal Richardson, Advocacy Director, Equality NC, (704) 903.8822, crystal@equalitync.org
Virginia: Kirsten Bokenkamp, Communications Director, Equality VA, KBokenkamp@equalityvirginia.org
South Carolina: Jeff Ayers, Board Chair, SC Equality, jeffayers@scequality.org