(Memphis) You may see a new logo popping at businesses around Memphis.
A Tennessee group hopes to not only change the way you shop, but is also pushing for LGBT equality as it claims same-sex couples are being turned away from businesses.
The campaign is called Equality Means Business, and companies who show solidarity with the gay community can apply for the sticker from the Tennessee Equality Project and get one to display on their window.
“Sometimes we hear stories about businesses saying ‘we don’t want people’s money, we don’t want to hire certain people,’ and the diversity that’s lost in doing that,” said Skip Leadbetter with the Tennessee Equality Project.
The Tennessee Equality Project encourages people to who support LGBT equality to shop where they see the sticker.
“The fact that their money is being accepted there and that their money is accepted there we believe will take Memphis and Tennessee one step further in the hospitality business,” said Leadbetter.
The campaign just started New Year’s Day, and so far there aren’t any stickers on windows, but Leadbetter says about 20 businesses have already applied.
To get one of the stickers a business must pledge to hire based on merit, do business with everyone despite sexual orientation, race or creed, and it must pledge to support and encourage equality.
“We should treat all human beings fairly. Especially when they come to patronize your business,” said Cynthia Grawemeyer.
Grawemeyer owns Grawemeyer’s restaurant on South Main.
Her application for a sticker is awaiting approval.
“It’s not something that we’ve ever had to think about it’s just something we do,” said Grawemeyer.
Grawemeyer says she doesn’t worry about the business implications, bad or good, from putting the sticker on her window.
“I really don’t care. We’re a family-owned business and we’re going to treat everyone fairly regardless of the dollar,” said Grawemeyer.
The stickers have been going up for about a year in Nashville, and Tennessee Equality says that campaign has been incredibly successful and hundreds of businesses proudly display the logo.
