Malcolm Gladwell defines the The Tipping Point "as that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire". It's hard not to ponder if the recent discriminatory legislation in Indiana just created the hallmark moment in time, that may give the LGBT community our own Tipping Point?
Over the past few days it's been incredible for our community to watch the swift, diverse and wide spread denouncing of this oppressive and divisive legislation. I think for most of us in the LGBT community the speed and strength of the overwhelming support has even taken us aback. On an individual basis, many in our community feel very supported, but always remain cautious how we are viewed in the larger purview. Over the past few days I think many of us continue to process and reflect on some of the allies who are screaming loud and proud in our defense.
Many in our community realize the technology sector has been one of the leaders of progressive corporate policies, like partner benefits, and promoting LGBT individuals into senior positions. But we have never seen this group speak out so quickly and assertively in direct defense of our individual right's and freedom's. Leading the pack has been Marc Benioff, the chief executive of Salesforce.com. Mr Benioff was the first and most vocal opponent. His immense influence in Silicon Valley has created a firestorm for the far right wing legislators. Watching Marc Benioff and Tim Cook of Apple, leverage their personal and corporate influence has been nothing short of breath taking for our community. It is exceedingly rare for CEO's of large multinational corporations to speak so candidly about political and social issues. Knowing this, makes their decision to jump into the political hotbed even more rare.
It's not just the technology sector that is supporting our rights and freedoms. Many companies are coming forward in defense of the equal treatment of all individuals. Subaru, Eli Lily, Starbucks, Yelp, are just a few companies who recognize that these discriminatory laws are not only bad for business but as Max Levchin co-founder of Paypal say's "is a basic human decency issue". While may on the far right political spectrum would argue that the LGBT community poses a risk to the moral fiber of American values, it would appear that corporate America has a different perspective. That having a diverse and dynamic work force that includes LGBT individuals is not only the right thing to do but also adds value to their organizations.
I think the biggest surprise over the past few days, has been the tsunami of support we have seen from the professional sporting and athletic community. Organizations like the NCAA, NBA, and even The Indiana Pacers, all have come out in opposition, to the proposed religious freedom law. Even professional organizations who once appeared to be "breeding grounds" of homophobia and oppression are stepping forward. For many in our community, hearing that the NFL and NASCAR are supportive of the LGBT community is a little bit startling and may take a moment or two for some of us to fully process.
Further providing strong voices in our defense has been Mayor Ed Lee of San Francisco, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy. All of these elected officials have placed travel bans for their employees for future travel to Indiana. This is much more than a symbolic gesture, it essentially places economic sanctions on the state of Indiana. It sends a crystal clear message, if you want to do business with us, then you need to do some housekeeping first.
I guess this comes back to my original hypothesis. Is Indiana possibly our Tipping Point? I think many of us in the LGBT community are still more overwhelmed and confused than a chameleon in a bucket of Skittles. The incredible speed and pace that our rights are being advanced and defended, is truly a little bit mind boggling. At this moment in time I can't help but think about pioneers of the LGBT community. Individuals who risked being ostracized, denounced and even risking their personal safety so that individuals like myself could live free and proud. I can only imagine how proud they would be, to see the ubiquitous response of this clear discrimination.
I guess in the end history will tell us if Indiana is our Tipping Point, but I know I can say this with conviction, change is in the air.
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