Bank of America, Microsoft Denounce NC’s Anti-LGBT Law, but Fund Politicians Who Passed It
(The Intercept) BANK OF AMERICA, Lowe’s, Microsoft, and American Airlines all have two things in common: They have strongly criticized North Carolina’s new law that prevents local governments from prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and money from their affiliated political action committees helped put the politicians who passed the law in office.
Representatives from Bank of America and Lowe’s declined to answer questions from The Intercept about whether they plan to stop contributing to the responsible politicians. American Airlines’s corporate communications manager stated, “We don’t discuss future contributions.” Microsoft did not respond to inquiries before publication.
The North Carolina law, which has been widely condemned in the business world, as well as by Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, was an initiative of the state’s Republican Party, which controls both houses of the state legislature. The bill passed the North Carolina House 83-25 and the state Senate 32-0 after all the Senate Democrats walked out; it was signed into law by Republican Gov. Pat McCrory.
Charlotte-based Bank of America said last Thursday in response to the law’s passage that the company “has been steadfast in our commitment to nondiscrimination and to our LGBT employees. … We support public policies that support nondiscrimination.”
However, Bank of America’s PAC has been a consistent, significant contributor to Gov. McCrory; Phil Berger, president pro tempore of the state Senate; Tim Moore, speaker of the state House; and the North Carolina Republican Party. The Bank of America PAC’s treasurer is Wendy Jamison, who is also Bank of America’s senior vice president for public policy. ...............(more)
https://theintercept.com/2016/03/28/bank-of-america-microsoft-denounce-north-carolinas-anti-lgbt-law-but-fund-politicians-who-passed-it/
