Skip to main content

Apple voices support for Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) bill


Continuing its efforts in supporting various equal rights campaigns in recent years,  Apple has voiced its support for a new equal rights bill in Houston through a statement issued by the Human Rights Campaign organization. Business Houston Journal reports that the organization issued the statement below on Apple’s behalf in support of the bill known as Proposition 1, or Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), ahead of voting on the bill ending October 30.

Apple said in a statement to Houston Unites: “Apple is proud to be a part of Houston with four stores that employ over 500 people. Our stores and our company are open to everyone, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, how they worship or who they love. Apple supports Proposition 1 as it sends a clear message that Houston is focused on a future of inclusion, diversity and continued prosperity.”

The Human Rights Campaign describes the bill as protecting “Houston residents and visitors from discrimination in housing, employment and business services on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and 11 other characteristics.” It has more information on its website here.

Apple has been quite active in equal rights campaigns in recent years while CEO Tim Cook has made it clear that tackling these issues inside of Apple and supporting equal rights in general will be a focus for both himself personally and the company going forward.

The company has offered its support for many equal rights related laws on several occasions in recent memory, and it started reporting its own company diversity data for the first time last year.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. Darshanrocky - 8 years ago

    K

  2. Mark Appsolem - 8 years ago

    I feel more and more at home with this brand, and I am straight. Thumbs up.

    • William Reid - 8 years ago

      Ya, so girls have to use the bathroom with men. nothing bad could come from that.

      • spanishboytech - 8 years ago

        Really? True transsexuals are women at heart in their minds already and have no interest in other women. The men that would use the bathroom with a woman as you claim are the same psychopaths that just hide in a stall and rape them, they’re not going to bother dressing up as a woman when they already go into a woman’s bathroom anyway. You’re comment shows just how little you understand about the psychology of the lgbt community and how you’re imposing your own views/beliefs and inept comprehension on a section of society without having the facts.

    • Must be nice being perfect *and* odor free.

  3. nyctravis - 8 years ago

    Go apple!

  4. Hal J Chan - 8 years ago

    GÖ APPLE!

  5. Kevin OReilly - 8 years ago

    Why is a tech company ignorantly supporting a piece of legislation which puts the most vulnerable among us at increased risk to sexual predators? Are we really going to allow biological males who merely identify as female into female bathrooms and locker rooms? Shall we sacrifice the safety and security of our young girls and boys on the alter of political correctness? My message to Apple: Stick to making tech and leave policy making to people who actually have the wherewithal to fully consider and understand the implications of making public policy. The people of Houston wisely rejected this nonsense.

    • André Hedegaard - 8 years ago

      THANK YOU! Let Apple stick to tech and let professional people that work with laws and legislature every day, make the proper decisions.
      Sexual predators, I didn’t even think about this – good point!

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.