LGBTQ rights
advocates have long pointed to the problematic nature of tying the fight for equality with
corporations, who provide needed funds but can come with political and
social baggage that increasingly cannot be ignored.
The nation’s
politics has taken a hard right, and at the same time advocacy groups are
recognizing that comp
romise may not be worth the cost.
The Human Rights Campaign recently
announced it was returning $325,000 in corporate sponsorship from Bank of America for
helping to negotiate the so-called “repeal” of anti-LGBTQ law House Bill 2 (HB2),
House Bill 142. That law still prevents cities from enacting protections for LGBTQ people for
the next three years.
HRC also downgraded its Corporate Equality Index scores for Bank of
America, as well as Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, for
their roles in negotiating the “compromise” that left LGBTQ people wanting yet
again.
In an article
published “Wells Fargo has not been a direct sponsor of Creating Change in
years and as of July 1, 2017 they will no longer be a national corporate
sponsor of the National LGBTQ Task Force,” Roybal said.
“They remain
the presenting sponsor of the Task Force Gala-Miami as they have for
the last several years,” Roybal added.
“Banks like
Wells Fargo boost their billion dollar bottom-line on the backs of the most
marginalized in our community. It is important that LGBTQ movement leaders
stand up against these practices and not allow Wells and other corporations to
hide under a rainbow blanket of ‘allyship’ bought with prison and pipeline
cash,” said Peoples in a statement.
“I applaud
Russell and the rest of the Task Force team for making this small but important
move. I hope they will join us and countless other groups to encourage broad
divestment from corporations and institutions that are toxic to our
communities, especially during this upcoming Pride season, with the
#NoJusticeNoPride campaign.”
It seems we are
entering a new era in the LGBTQ rights struggle, where corporations won’t get
such an easy pass. Good PR cannot simply be bought, and actions are going to
have to speak as loudly as words and oversized checks.
The Washington
Blade notes that “HRC has said Wells Fargo Bank has consistently
received the HRC Foundation’s highest rating for a corporation on internal
personnel policies for LGBT employees.”
LGBTQ Nation has
reached out to the Task Force, as well as Wells Fargo, and HRC for comment. We
will update if more information becomes available.
UPDATE
(6/1/2017):
Wells Fargo got
back to us with the following statement:
We are proud of
our collaboration with the LGBTQ Task Force and appreciate the great work they
do for the community. Wells Fargo’s philanthropic support for the organization
dates back to 1999, and continues today at the local level. Wells Fargo
Foundation continues to support efforts of many organizations that provide
direct services to the community, including The Trevor Project and GLSEN and
we’ve recently expanded our scope to include SAGE and the True Colors Fund.
Over the past 30 years, Wells Fargo has stood together with the LGBTQ
community, providing over $50 million to LGBTQ-focused organizations as part of
our corporate commitment, and we remain committed to delivering thoughtful and
strategic support to the community in the future.
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