Late last month, North Carolina passed legislation that rolled back anti-discrimination laws in Charlotte and barred others from being enacted.
The most-discussed provision forces transgender people to use the bathrooms that correspond to their birth genders, and the backlash has been loud and swift.
PayPal, the payments firm, announced this morning that it has withdrawn plans unveiled just two weeks ago for an expansion to Charlotte. The move would have brought 400 jobs to the area. In a statement, the company directly cited the law as the reason for its reversal:
The new law perpetuates discrimination and it violates the values and principles that are at the core of PayPal’s mission and culture. As a result, PayPal will not move forward with our planned expansion into Charlotte.
The company had previously criticized the law more indirectly, tweeting a press release that touted its inclusive atmosphere.
Besides sparking widespread criticism from LGBT activists, the law has been condemned by many national businesses. Companies as varied as Apple, American Airlines, and the National Basketball Association voiced their disapproval. Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, a New Jersey drug company, said it was “reevaluating” a $20 million factory employing 50 people that it had planned to build near Durham.
North Carolina isn’t the only state to have contemplated bills that rolled back LBGT rights; Georgia’s legislature passed a similar law, but its governor decided to veto it in the face of similar criticism.