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The Economic Case For An LGBT-Friendly State
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Missouri can win investments, business, and retain talent by sending a clear message that the LGBTQ community is fully welcome here. This message matters to large and small businesses, to tourism and travel, and to skilled workers.
Treating LGBTQ people fairly and welcoming them warmly costs nothing and would change our state’s brand for the better, while creating quantifiable, long-term economic benefits.
That’s what we call a smart business decision.
Of meeting and convention planners say they will “absolutely avoid” booking meetings in states that pass anti-LGBT legislation (Meetings & Conventions Magazine)
Cost to the North Carolina economy due to the relocation of the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans
Estimated economic impact of hosting a NCAA Final Four tournament. The NCAA is questioning future host cities on discrimination protections as part of selection criteria.
Negative social media posts about Indiana’s stance on LGBT rights in just 30 days in 2015
Economic impacts reported by the Greensboro Coliseum stemming from performers boycotting North Carolina over LGBT issues
Five-year economic damage to hotel & meetings industry, as estimated by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, if anti-LGBT legislation had been signed into law
New jobs lost due to canceled corporate investments in North Carolina over LGBT issues. Of these, 250 jobs were lost from Deutsche Bank and 400 jobs were lost at PayPal.
Five-years of economic damage in the hotel and meetings industry, as estimated by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, if anti-LGBT legislation has been signed into law. Five-years of economic damage in the hotel and meetings industry, as estimated by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, if anti-LGBT legislation had been signed into law.Five-years of economic damage in the hotel and meetings industry, as estimated by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, if anti-LGBT legislation has been signed into law.
Facebook’s investment in a new data center in Fort Worth; executives cited the city’s LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination law as part of their decision
When recruiting top talent, a welcoming stance toward LGBT people matters – not just for the LGBT workers, but for recruiting all talented workers.
79% of non-LGBTQ Millennials want to see workplace non-discrimination for their peers
States with LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination protections attract large numbers of inventors, who in turn produce 30% more patents than their peers
(Harvard Business Review)
Millennials will make up 75% of the U.S. workforce by 2030
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Charlotte, NC Pride brings in $7.75 million to the city from visitors to the city
In 2018, Twin Cities Pride attendees spent an estimated $7.4 million during festival, half of which came from out of town visitors
Washington, D.C.’s Capital Pride events have an estimated economic impact of $50 million +
In 2014, San Diego Pride Weekend generated $11 million for the region
The Los Angeles Pride Parade and Festival generated $74.7 million in economic output and $42.2 million in direct expenditure in LA County.
Businesses are watching state legislatures. They are investing in states with laws that foster diversity, inclusion, and a robust workforce.
And states that sanction LGBT discrimination simply cannot compete successfully.
LGBT non-discrimination protections are an investment in stronger communities and a stronger economy.
The new National Geospatial campus in St. Louis is set to bring in over 3,000 high tech jobs to the region. The geospatial has had a total economic impact of nearly $5 billion.
St. Louis Development Corporation
The new St. Louis MLS stadium will bring nearly 1000 jobs in both construction and stadium staffing.
Amazon HQ in Missouri could bring $5 billion dollars and 50,000 jobs, claiming a lack of “blueprint for talent.”