Protesting NC's Sweeping Anti-LGBT Bill today, photos

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15. "big out-of-state corporations bullying North Carolinians"

Where would that state be without those big out-of-state corporations? I mean, wasn't all of RTP built around IBM back in the '70s?

"We believe no individual should be discriminated against because of gender identity or sexual orientation. Laws that allow such discrimination go against our fundamental belief of equality and are bad for the economies of the states in which they are enacted," said Katie Cody, a spokeswoman for American Airlines, which has its second-largest hub at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Wells Fargo, Replacements Ltd., Apple, Microsoft and others all signed on to a statement in opposition to the North Carolina law and similar legislation in other states.

"Equality in the workplace is a business priority to foster talent and innovation, and these state laws undermine this core value," the statement said. "These state laws set a dangerous precedent that stifles investment and economic growth by jeopardizing a state’s status as a welcoming place for employees to live and thrive, undermining the success of a business at large. It is unreasonable for job creators to recruit a diverse workforce from states that encourage businesses to discriminate against our community of employees or consumers."

Supporters of the law responded by saying "big out-of-state corporations bullying North Carolinians" and noting hundreds of business owners statewide have signed a letter thanking lawmakers and McCrory for their actions.

http://www.wral.com/nc-discrimination-law-creates-business-backlash/15598305/#AQC4yVIleyUMrzcG.99

Duke University, Red Hat, Biogen, PayPal, Citrix... #WeAreNotThis

But corporate America could tip the scale, said Michael Bitzer, political science professor at Catawba College in Salisbury, northeast of Charlotte.

"If businesses are starting to look at North Carolina and says this is not the environment we want to be in, that could have some blowback, and McCrory would be in the bull's-eye," Bitzer said.

http://www.wral.com/gay-rights-rally-set-after-lawmakers-overturn-charlotte-act/15597031/#bArexRQ2pIii7OCe.99