It’s time for Big Tech to show up for trans youth.

Squad, let’s be honest. Tech companies nationwide are in an active competition for top talent. With the expansion of remote work and tech talent spread across the country and around the world, experienced techies can pick and choose where they want to live and who they want to work for. The freedom to work from anywhere in the world is more expansive than ever — so shared values are now a top priority for techies seeking new work opportunities.

The era of remaining neutral in situations of injustice is over. Right, Disney? Tech companies can and should use their platforms and profits to move the needle towards justice.

Take a cue from some companies already championing progress:

You can take small steps forward — like signing an open letter in support of trans youth — or make bold moves — like relocating your company and workers to a state that openly supports the LGBTQ+ community.

In return for your company’s commitment to justice, you’ll gain more consumer support and greater employee retention. Sound good? We know it does.

Tech values equity. It’s important that our nation’s top tech companies let their employees and ✨ potential employees✨ know that will they treated fairly in the workplace and that they and their families are protected from discrimination.

Companies who remain neutral or supportive of anti-LGBTQ+ laws risk losing staff, damaging employee retention, and creating barriers to recruiting new LGBTQ+ talent.

Let’s be clear: transphobic legislation is inhumane. It’s also anti-innovation and downright bad business.

The 2017 “Bathroom Bill” legislation in North Carolina was estimated to cost the state upwards of $3.76 billion in lost revenue and business over the course of twelve years. Now, as transphobic legislation sweeps the nation, the price of exclusion is even higher.

The lasting economic fallout of being on the wrong side of history is severe. A report from Open for Business, a coalition of companies advocating for LGBTQ+ equity, says that discrimination against LGBTQ+ people costs English-speaking Caribbean countries as much as $4.2 billion a year.

It gets worse. A study by the Texas Association of Business estimates that discriminatory legislation could result in an estimated economic loss to Texas’ gross domestic product ranging from $964 million to $8.5 billion.

Hate is not a valuable currency. Justice is.

Complacency is compliancy. We’re calling on our Squad of badass techies to take a stand against transphobic legislation and urge your company to do the same. What can you do?

⚡️ Powerful Political Action ::

Draft an open letter to your state government officials, like this coalition of businesses did in Nashville. Let your local and state representatives know your public stance as stakeholders against transphobic legislation.

⚡️ Effective Economic Action ::

Pull business from states supporting transphobic laws, like PayPal did in North Carolina in 2016.

⚡️ Supportive Social Action ::

Social media managers, we see you! Utilize your company’s social presence and platform by speaking out against transphobic legislation. Use hashtags #ProtectTransKids and #SupportTransYouth.

⚡️ Inclusive Workplace Action ::

Above all else, show up for your LGBTQ+ staff during this time of distress by ensuring that your workplace allows trans employees to thrive. Take these tips from Harvard Business Review on how to create a trans-inclusive workplace!