In an open letter released last month,
Starbucks reiterated its opposition to a controversial North Carolina
law and encouraged guests and employees to use the bathroom of their
choice.
House Bill 2, approved in March during
a one-day special session, blocks cities from enacting LGBT
protections and prohibits transgender people from using public
bathrooms associated with the sex they identify with.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was among
the more than 200 CEOs and business leaders who signed onto a letter
calling for the law's repeal.
In an open letter to Starbucks
employees, Lucy Helm, who chairs the Starbucks Inclusion Council,
reiterated the company's commitment to LGBT equality.
“Across the U.S., we are witnessing
the introduction of local and state legislation condoning
discriminatory treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) persons,” Helm wrote. “As partners, we share the same
concerns about the impact this legislation has on the lives of our
fellow partners and our customers.”
“Consistent with our Mission and
Values, and our long-standing policies and principles, Starbucks
opposes any legislation or other similar policy initiatives at the
municipal, state or national level that would have a discriminatory
impact. This includes recent legislation that discriminates against
the LGBT community, as stated in a recent letter released by the
Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina and signed by
numerous CEOs, including Howard Schultz. In our stores, we continue
to welcome partners and customers to use Starbucks facilities that
correspond to their gender identity. In addition, we are looking into
opportunities to have more gender-neutral signage in our restrooms,”
she
added.