In recent years, leaders in tech and corporate leaders in America have recognized their increased responsibility in shaping the future of business for the LGBTQ+ community, especially for the transgender population. Anti-trans rhetoric and policy have been rampant in the last five years, with a staggering 796 anti-trans bills introduced nationwide between 2024 and 2025 alone. Corporate leaders have a significant role in shaping discourse and advocacy approaches for the trans community, not only within their organizations but also within broader society.
3 Ways Companies Can Support the Transgender Community
- Public advocacy: Companies can make it clear that anti-trans rhetoric and policy are a net negative for society.
- Economic influence: Companies can threaten to withdraw financial support or investments from anti-trans partners.
- Business policies: Companies can offer healthcare coverage for gender-affirming care and implement non-discrimination policies regarding gender identity and expression in the workplace.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, in particular, have been under attack, and corporations have been evaluating where they stand concerning DEI. Many businesses have made a point to release statements either confirming their commitment to DEI or announcing a scale-back. Some companies that have admitted to scaling back their DEI initiatives, such as Target, have been faced with boycotts.
The days of tech and corporate companies being able to remain neutral in the face of politically charged rhetoric and policy are over. Today’s leaders need to be intentional about counteracting discriminatory rhetoric — especially the rampant anti-trans rhetoric that has permeated every corner of our national discourse.
How Leaders Can Have Positive Influence
Leaders can inform and shape conversations and play a role in ongoing policy debates in almost every state in the union. According to a recent study by GLAAD, 59 percent of Americans believe that businesses that devote resources to supporting the LGBTQ+ community have an overall positive impact. The same study showed that 53 percent of Americans believe CEOs must lead the charge in this support and influence.
Still, some CEOs and leaders may shy away from taking a stance in this highly polarized climate because they may fear losing customers or inevitable backlash from the side that would like to see the trans community fade away from existence altogether. However, it is the CEOs that lead by example, going beyond simple statements and enacting powerful policy changes that make a real — some may consider historic — difference in the lives of transgender individuals.
Companies that not only talk the talk but walk the walk stand to benefit from their inclusive stance. Studies have shown that businesses can see better profits than those that do not by supporting legislation that calls for equitable treatment of the trans community, donating to LGBTQ+ organizations, and implementing business-wide policies that support the LGBTQ+ community.
How Tech Companies Can Use Their Platform
There are a number of ways companies and leaders can use their platforms to support the transgender community. Through public advocacy, companies can make it clear that anti-trans rhetoric and policy are a net negative for society.
One of the strongest weapons companies have against anti-trans rhetoric is economic influence. Companies can threaten to withdraw financial support or investments from anti-trans partners or even move operations from states that have passed anti-trans legislation. Companies can also leverage their experience with suppliers and partners and publicize inclusive policies and stances.
Additionally, companies can show their support through business-wide policies, such as healthcare coverage for gender-affirming care and the implementation of non-discrimination policies regarding gender identity and expression in the workplace. By demonstrating an everyday, out-loud, authentic commitment to transgender rights, companies can not only improve their bottom lines and reputation; they can play a role in making life for transgender people better.
Examples of Transgender Support Initiatives
There are several companies that have set a good example for corporate America with their support of the transgender community or their stance against anti-trans rhetoric.
HSBC
The bank announced in 2023 that it would offer coverage for employee gender-affirming care, including gender-affirming surgeries. In a statement, an HSBC representative hoped their stance would allow their “trans and trans and non-binary colleagues to be their true, authentic selves.”
AT&T
The communications company was one of the first major companies to offer coverage for gender-affirming care. They also sponsor the Loveloud festival, which supports the LGBTQ+ community.
Spotify
The company offers coverage for masculinization and feminization surgeries for their employees and provides LGBTQ+ resource groups for colleagues.
Why Tech Companies Must Take the Lead
There are also companies headed by transgender individuals who are taking bolder steps to demonstrate their effectiveness as leaders. The more transgender people who step forward into leadership roles, the harder it will become to successfully apply anti-trans legislation and policy. By being unapologetically ourselves and driving an equitable approach to business and leadership, we can improve the corporate landscape for all transgender people.
Tech and corporate America is having to evolve in the face of increased anti-transgender rhetoric and policy. While some companies are still choosing to shy away from any public statements or commitment to transgender equality and the fight for rights, others are realizing the stakes may be too high for the transgender community to remain silent any longer. The backlash experienced by companies who have chosen to remain silent or openly support anti-trans policy has been ramping up, especially in the face of the Trump Administration’s anti-DEI campaign.
The 700-plus anti-trans bills being brought forth across the United States threaten the freedom and equality of transgender Americans. These are people who purchase products and require services from companies from a range of industries. Customers, transgender and cisgender alike, are more often looking for the brands and companies that they support to have their interests in mind with regard to anti-trans rhetoric.
Companies can lead the way in an increasingly polarized political climate. By using their power of influence, business leaders can be powerful advocates for equality.
