Like many of my colleagues in the community, I am pleased to see the unbelievable amount of support being given to passing a non-discrimination ordinance in Butler. Despite that, there is probably still some misunderstanding, so I hope to provide a bit of clarity here.

The ordinance’s explicit purpose is to “guarantee free and equal treatment under the law for all people.”

We advocate for a clear stance against discrimination. This ordinance says that we as a community will not allow Butler’s citizens of color, religious citizens, LGBT citizens, citizens with disabilities, and more to be kicked out of rented homes, fired from their job, denied a bank loan or to be thrown out of a grocery store simply because of their identity.

This language is almost identical to that passed in 35 other municipalities in Pennsylvania, and the ordinance includes a specific exemption for religious organizations to discriminate in hiring or firing. Judges from the U.S. Supreme Court on down have found time and again that religious organizations and their employment decisions are exempt from anti-discrimination laws. This is established law, and this ordinance could not possibly overrule the Supreme Court.

This isn’t just about treating everyone equally. It’s about improving the economic environment to attract business investment. Academic researchers have found a statistical connection between a country’s protection of women and minorities and that same country’s economic power (Williams Institute at UCLA, 2014). Specifically, economies make more money when they fully accept and protect the rights of minorities. It’s a win on all sides.

Studies by economists have shown that a city can attract and retain the best people into its commerce and its society when it welcomes all people (Indiana Law Review, 2015). One leading researcher developed the theory, based on his study of Pittsburgh, that cities need technology, talent and tolerance to attract economic vitality (The Rise of the Creative Class, 2004).

Nondiscrimination ordinances make it easier for businesses to hire and keep the best workers. In 2013, the Department of Civil Rights in Michigan, a state similar to Pennsylvania in terms of demographics, published a comprehensive 120-page report on the impact that LGBT inclusion would have on the state. The report finds that graduating college students of all identities look for inclusive policies when weighing job offers.

When asked about where they will look for a job after graduation, one LGBT respondent said, “Anywhere I decide to call home will need to provide protections from discrimination ... at a minimum. I won’t even consider staying [otherwise]”, while a straight respondent said, “I’m planning on avoiding states with bigotry” (p. 97). Today’s workers demand more and more equality where they live and work.

And companies understand this, which is why Apple, Facebook, Google, and over 200 more Fortune 500 companies submitted an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in 2013 stating, in part, “[discriminatory practices] can impede business efforts to recruit, hire, and retain the best workers in an environment that enables them to perform at their best” (WebProNews, Feb 27, 2013).

We want Butler to attract the best talent in Western Pennsylvania, but to do that we must promote the most positive business environment that we can.

While the academic research shows that inclusive policies are good for economic growth, there’s even more data that shows when a city or state takes on a discriminatory reputation, they lose out on tourism and business investment. After North Carolina passed a law prohibiting ordinances like the one we’re advocating in Butler, at least 160 businesses openly condemned the law, and multinational companies canceled plans to expand operations in the state. This cost Raleigh-Durham about $3 billion in potential business (Advocate, May 16, 2016). Tourism in the state continues to suffer. Greensboro has lost about $6 million in tourism dollars since March alone (TWC News, Apr. 19, 2016), and Charlotte recently lost out on the 2017 NBA All-Star Game because of its discriminatory environment (CNN, July 21, 2016). The game could have brought the city $195 million in economic activity (Bloomberg, Feb 18, 2015).

If big cities can’t attract tourism and business investment without protecting the rights of all, why do we think Butler could?

As a proud member of the Butler community and as a business owner, I am able to see the many ways that a non-discrimination ordinance will protect all of our citizens, help businesses attract the best employees, and make the city a more welcoming destination for tourists and out-of-town guests. The evidence shows that this will be a win for the citizens of Butler as well as our local businesses. I fully support the passage of the ordinance, and I hope you’ll support it, too.

Joshua Crawford of Butler is president of PFLAG Butler County. He is the owner of Hair Studio and co-owner of M&J’s Lounge.