So far in 2023, Over 491 Anti-LGBTQ Bills Implemented in local councils across the United States. Bills range from requiring teachers to tell parents if a student wants to be called by a different name or pronoun, to banning books and drag shows, to banning gender-affirming medicine for minors. The majority target the trans community, but it’s probably one of the smallest and trans communities. most vulnerable community in our country.
As the number of these bills continues to grow, American public sentiment is increasingly in favor of the LGBTQ community. 21 percent of Gen Z Recognize as LGBT. According to a recent Gallup poll, 71 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage.and 64% agree According to Pugh, it is a policy that protects the transgender community from discrimination in jobs, housing and public spaces (although the numbers are even more divided when it comes to discussing transgender people). health care).
The politicians proposing these laws claim they protect parents and children, but I know they are not in the best interests of my family – my husband and son of 17 years together. I’m sure. Nor are they in the best interests of America, the values on which our country was founded, or the innovations that thrive on those values.
Innovation is America’s hallmark and what sets it apart from other nations. Laws restricting America’s personal liberties will limit America’s ability to maintain its position as a world leader in innovation. Here’s why.
Innovation is America’s greatest competitive advantage
The United States is not the largest country in the world, but it has been at the top of the global economy for quite some time. in the United States, world’s largest economyChina is just a few trillion behind us.
However, US population growth has slowed slightly and is trending upward only 0.1 percent In 2021, many will die due to pandemic-related life losses and declining birth rates. Some like the former chief economist of the World Bank, Justin Yif Lin. Discussed China’s growing population will eventually make its economy twice as large as the United States.
Given that population size is unlikely to increase dramatically in the future, the US will need to rely on innovation to maintain its competitive edge in the face of other large economies. The way we stay ahead of the curve is by constantly looking for ways to innovate.
and 2022 Global Innovation Index (GII)The United States ranks first in the world in 15 of 81 innovation indicators, including R&D investors, venture capital investors, university quality, scientific publication quality and influence, number of patents by source, and computer software spending. 1st place. Four of the five largest R&D spending companies in the world are in the US (Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft and Apple).
If we want to maintain this top position, we need to make an all-out effort. Having a society more exclusive to certain groups of people will only curb their ability to contribute to entrepreneurial discovery.
Protecting LGBTQ Employees Drives Innovation
We have strong evidence that diverse teams lead to better performance. In 2018, Deloitte Releases Diversity & Inclusion Report, organizations with a more inclusive culture are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial goals, three times more likely to be high performers, six times more likely to be innovative and agile, and have better business outcomes. is eight times more likely to achieve . It’s hard to argue about the benefits diversity can bring to your business.
Not only that, but the presence of inclusive leadership increases psychological safety, inspiration, collaboration, quality of decision-making, and team performance.Given that 82% of employees Some people say it’s important for organizations to “see people as people”, and it all makes a lot of sense.
True innovation comes from the freedom to fully express yourself and step outside the defined boundaries. Everything is better when you work in an environment where you can be sure that you are accepted for who you are. You’ll be healthier and happier, you’ll put yourself in the best possible job, and you’ll be true to yourself. This is when creativity comes into play.
But what I find most compelling is that companies with policies that support LGBTQ are investing in their R&D departments. proven outperform those without policies that support LGBTQ. All signs point to supporting and including the LGBTQ community as an investment in our future success.
Anti-LGBT laws hinder future innovation
Proposing laws that stifle innovation by further stifling the LGBTQ community is a slap in the face of the LGBTQ innovators who have shaped and continue to shape the entire industry. A search for “LGBTQ innovator” on the internet will bring up names like Alan Turing, Tim Cook, Chris Hughes, Martin Rothblatt, Vivian Min, just to name a few. They are incredible leaders and innovators who are changing the way we all experience technology and, by extension, the world.
When I think about the consequences if the United States continues down this path of trying to outlaw the experience of transgender people and the larger LGBTQ community, I see two possibilities.
On the one hand, it will silo innovation in states with more liberal laws. LGBTQ entrepreneurs who moved from inclusive to more inclusive places, 2006-2016 Create 3 million jobs.After the pandemic made remote work widely possible, people migrated A more conservative trend away from the coast and into Central America and Florida. But as hate-filled laws are passed, immigration is visibly reversed.
On the one hand, the psychological burden these laws place on the shoulders of the LGBTQ community hinders the level of innovation that could otherwise be possible. Vivian Min said,tax” It is imposed on our different professional lives. This tax puts a heavy burden on people. Moreover, according to a recent study, 46% of LGBTQ workers You are being treated unfairly at work because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. This kind of treatment is only increased by repressive laws. If that happens, LGBTQ innovators will find it difficult to perform at their best while navigating a hostile work environment, and net innovation will decline.
The LGBTQ community is diverse, vibrant, creative, innovative and resilient—characteristics that entrepreneurs should look for in their teams. Passing laws that prevent our communities from prospering will only have greater long-term consequences for our country. Conservative lawmakers must act prudently, and supporters and allies alike must fight desperately to end this dangerous discrimination.
Brian JanetzkoA serial social entrepreneur, co-founder of. startis a leading non-profit accelerator helping LGBTQ members start businesses. He is also his CEO and co-founder. can’t believe itthe baked goods company fighting hunger in America, He is also a director of a cultural consulting company. Sparks & Honey.
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