Toyota Motor Corporation announced it will halt sponsorship of LGBTQ events and shift its focus away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
The company cited the “highly politicized discussion” around DEI commitments as a reason for this change. Additionally, Toyota informed employees it will no longer participate in rankings from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) or similar corporate culture surveys, according to a report by Bloomberg.
In a memo sent in October to its 50,000 U.S. employees and 1,500 dealers, Toyota stated it would “narrow our community activities to align with STEM education and workforce readiness.”
Toyota’s decision follows increased activism from figures like anti-DEI advocate Robby Starbuck, who has urged boycotts of companies with DEI and LGBTQ support. Starbuck, who has previously targeted companies such as Lowe’s, Ford, and Tractor Supply Co., spotlighted Toyota’s involvement in LGBTQ events, including a drag queen program at a summer camp for children who identify as LGBTQ. Starbuck’s coverage led to a surge of inquiries from Toyota’s employees, dealers, and customers, a spokesperson for the company confirmed. Toyota responded by clarifying that LGBTQ programs were employee-led, not company-directed.
The HRC has responded to companies stepping back from DEI policies by encouraging boycotts against those that decline participation in its Corporate Equality Index. Eric Bloem, HRC’s vice president, criticized Toyota’s decision, saying in an email, “short-sighted decisions to abandon DEI initiatives will have a lasting, negative impact on business success in a future where more people than ever are identifying as LGBTQ+,” Bloomberg reported.
Despite this response, it appears that companies continue to take a step back from their previous DEI commitments as more conservative-leaning consumers publicly condemn involvement in such practices.
