San Francisco Wants to Ban Business with States That Discriminate against LGBT Community

 

 

The city of San Francisco is on its way to passing an ordinance that would ban the city from doing business with any state which discriminates against the LGBT community.

 

According to the San Francisco Gate, the new legislation was introduced Tuesday at a meeting of the city’s Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Scott Wiener proposed the ordinance which is specifically aimed at Mississippi and North Carolina, both of which recently passed laws which limit LGBT rights.

 

In addition to this new ordinance which is expected to pass, the city’s Mayor, Ed Lee, also recently enacted a directive barring city employees from traveling to North Carolina or Mississippi on business, except in emergency situations. 

 

“By banning the use of taxpayer dollars in these states, we can set an example for other jurisdictions and build momentum to put an end to this nonsense. Our LGBT community does not deserve to be attacked like this,” Wiener said in a statement.

 

The new ordinance would have a great impact on a number of businesses that have dealings with San Francisco.

 

Band of America has an $8 million contract with San Francisco, where it was founded and formerly headquartered. Bank of America has issued a statement saying they have called for the repeal of the North Carolina law which prevents transgenders from using the restroom corresponding to the gender with which they identify.

 

Other companies which may be affected by San Francisco’s new ordinance are Hanes and Lowe’s Home Improvement.