(LifeSiteNews) — More than three in four small businesses declined to participate in any “Pride Month” displays this year, despite a majority saying they think it is important that companies speak out in support of the LGBT agenda. In contrast, many major corporations signaled their support for the LGBT agenda — although not in Middle Eastern countries.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s recent survey, released on June 9, boasted as a “key takeaway” that “72% of small business owners say they are okay with losing customers as a result of supporting the LGBTQ+ community” and “More than eight in 10 small business owners (86%) say that it is important to provide an inclusive culture for customers and guests.”
But the corporate lobbying group conceded that what business owners tell a survey taker they believe and the actions they take differ. “Overall, small business owners believe it is important for their businesses to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, even though a smaller percentage report putting concrete actions into place.”
“Nearly one in four (23%) small businesses say they commemorated or recognized the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month last year,” the chamber survey reported. Blue-collar companies were less likely to do so. “Small businesses in the manufacturing sector (8%) are the least likely to say they participated in last year’s Pride month compared to those in more public-facing industries such as professional services (30%), services (27%), and retail (24%).”
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Even the alleged strong support for supporting LGBT pride when asked by a survey taker falls apart with seemingly contradictory statements on showing support for social or political issues.
“About three in four small business owners (72%) say they are okay with losing customers as a result of supporting the LGBTQ+ community,” the chamber reported.
“At the same time, a similar percentage (62%) of small business owners say businesses should remain neutral on social issues,” the survey reported. “Even more (72%) say that businesses should remain neutral on political issues. A large majority (81%) also believe too many businesses take stances on social issues publicly without seriously trying to enact change.”
The chamber offered this possible explanation:
This dissonance may suggest that small business owners are facing tough judgment calls on whether to bring their business into public debate on social issues. It is also possible that small business owners feel outward expressions of their own beliefs, passions, or sensitivities have the potential to offend, scare, or neutralize existing and or potential customers and jeopardize revenue.
Corporate interests have fought against social conservative views and in support of the LGBT agenda for years. The South Dakota Chamber of Commerce pressured Republican Governor Kristi Noem in 2019 to kill a bill to prevent gender-confused men from competing against women in sports. In 2015, corporate lobbyists pressured then-Governor Mike Pence to water down the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.