Texas
Florida
Apple
Apple wields its lobbying might against LGBTQ laws
Emily Birnbaum 04/01/2022 04:31 AM EDT Link CopiedApple is quietly mobilizing its vast resources to lobby against anti-LGBTQ legislation proliferating across the country — an unusual push by one of the world’s most valuable companies into a consequential political debate.The company, whose CEO, Tim Cook, is the nation’s most visible gay executive, has deployed its lobbyiststo oppose legislation that limits protections for trans and gay people or their families in Iowa, Florida, Texas and at least six other states.Apple’s communications, government affairs and legal offices have also opposed some of the bills, working with policymakers and advocacy groups to plot out strategies and filing court briefs in cases involving LGBTQ rights. And the company is leading part of the broader corporate pushback against the bills — Apple executives have encouraged other large companies to publicly oppose the legislation, arguing that it promotes discrimination and threatens to harm LGBTQ youth.“It’s not just states where they have a headquarters,” said Jay Brown, the senior vice president of programs, research and training at the LGBTQ rights organization Human Rights Campaign.