Today, Gap Inc. announced they are signing the Open to All Business Pledge and urging other business leaders across the nation to add their names and to declare they are Open to All and oppose discrimination.
There are over 2,300 Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and Intermix stores in the country, spanning all 50 states.
Gap Inc. joins Yelp, Levi Strauss & Co., Lyft, as well as more than 1,500 small businesses, and 200 nonprofits, in partnering with Open to All, a public education campaign focused on the longstanding principles that affirm that when a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to everyone on the same terms. To welcome all customers, Gap Inc. stores will also feature the Open to All window cling in select stores across America. In addition, Marriott International Inc. has announced that they are joining Open to All and signing the Open to All Business Pledge.
It’s shocking that many people of color, LGBT people, people of minority faiths, and many others still face discrimination when they seek goods or services from businesses in their local communities. Far too often, we hear stories like the couple that was kicked out of an Uber simply because they’re gay, Muslim women who were ordered to leave a café, people of color facing abuse and violence in a diner, or people with disabilities being harassed in a restaurant.
That’s why the Open to All campaign is encouraging businesses across the country to join together to declare that they are Open to All.
Open to All businesses pledge to:
• Maintain a welcoming and safe environment for people—including employees, visitors, customers, vendors and clients—regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion or disability.
• Not discriminate against any individuals or deny them goods or services based on any of these characteristics, and to provide all goods and services to everyone on the same terms.
And most Americans supports businesses that are open to all. The Harris Poll®, conducted in conjunction with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, finds that 75% of Americans believe when a business opens their door to the public, they should be open to all and serve everyone on the same terms. The poll also found that a vast majority of Americans agrees that businesses should not be allowed to deny services to people based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin (87%), sex (87%), sexual orientation (81%), gender identity (80%), religion (85%), or disability (88%).
In a time when many people of color, LGBT people, people of minority faiths, and many others still can’t be sure they won’t be discriminated against when they seek goods or services, it is more important than ever for businesses to affirm inclusive values and declare they are Open to All.
TAKE ACTION!
• DONATE: Please support collaborative campaigns like Open to All with $50 today!
• SPREAD THE WORD: Ask local businesses to sign the Open to All pledge and order window clings to show their support publicly!
• SIGN THE PLEDGE: If you are a business owner, sign the Open to All business pledge and let your customers and your community know that you pledge to serve everyone on the same terms.
• SHARE Help spread the word about Open to All on social media using #OpenToAll. Check out some of the great Open to All graphics to share. And don’t forget, if you see an Open to All window cling at your favorite business, snap a photo and share it!
o SAMPLE POST: I support businesses like @Gap, @BananaRepublic, @OldNavy, @Athleta, @Intermix, & @MarriottIntl that are #OpentoAll!
• BE COUNTED Add your voice to the growing chorus of Americans who reject discrimination! Be a part of the Open to All campaign!
• OPEN TO ALL ON YELP Let businesses know about Yelp’s new “Open to All” attribute and encourage them to check the box!
Truth Wins Out