Lowe’s dials back DEI efforts for LGBTQ employees

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mooresville-based Lowe’s is paring back its efforts to promote LGBTQ inclusion, becoming the latest company to respond to a growing cultural backlash led by conservatives targeting queer representation, according to a report from NBC News. 

An internal company memo being widely shared among social media organizations indicates that Lowe’s told employees it was ending its participation in surveys for the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group, and would also combine company resource groups designed to support minority employees into a single umbrella organization. 

Lowe’s is also reportedly ending sponsorship and participating in community events, such as parades, festivals and fairs. As recently as 2019, Lowe’s was a sponsor of Charlotte’s Pride parade. A company spokesperson did not respond to NBC’s request for comment.