Lowe’s Announces End of Several DEI Policies in Internal Memo: Report

Home improvement chain Lowe’s is set to eliminate several diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The retail chain is the latest major company to overhaul its policies on diversity, equity and inclusion, according to an internal memo reported by Reuters.

Lowe’s is reportedly ending its participation in surveys for the Human Rights Campaign, one of the nation’s largest and most progressive nonprofits.

John Deere issued a statement rejecting DEI policies: “We are committed to our customers.”

This image shows a Lowe’s store in the Brooklyn neighborhood of New York City, New York. The home improvement chain will end multiple diversity, equity and inclusion programs, according to an internal memo first obtained by Reuters. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)

The Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index is an annual survey and report that is apparently used to measure “policies, practices, and benefits related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) employees.”

The Human Rights Campaign blamed Lowe’s decision to end its participation in the Corporate Equality Index on Robbie Starbuck, a conservative activist who focuses on confronting big corporations with internal policies he describes as too “woke.”

“Robbie Starbuck is so extreme that the Tennessee Republican Party threw him out of the vote,” Orlando Gonzalez, HRC’s vice president of programs, research and training, told Fox Business. “Companies shouldn’t bow down to some random guy who has no business experience, who was so extreme that the Republican Party abandoned him.”

Starbuck has produced several videos posted to social media documenting his interactions with Lowe’s before the policy shift.

“Short-sighted, rash decisions that go against safe and inclusive workplaces will create a cumulative effect of long-term negative consequences for businesses, robbing them of top talent, alienating LGBTQ and other consumers, and impacting companies’ bottom lines,” Gonzalez continued. “Nearly 30% of Gen Z identifies as LGBTQ, and the community has $1.4 trillion in purchasing power. Reversing these principles undermines consumer trust and employee success.”

Lowe’s is also reportedly changing its internal policy to stop sponsoring or supporting parades or festivals.

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Attendees at the Democratic National Convention wave a Human Rights Campaign (HRC) flag and cheer as campaign chair Kelly Robinson speaks on stage at the United Center in Chicago. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images/Getty Images)

The company has supported the Human Rights Campaign for years, sometimes citing the progressive advocacy group’s “equality” ratings in its corporate media.

“Lowe’s is recognized as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality by the Human Rights Campaign,” the company announced on social media in 2019. “We’re proud of it. Happy Pride Month!”

Lowe’s has previously sponsored regional stores’ participation in local Pride parades, and the home improvement retail chain has shown unconditional support for LGBT initiatives in the past.

Customers shop at a Lowe’s home improvement store in Brooklyn, New York City. An internal memo reportedly announced the end of several diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as modifications to existing initiatives. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/Getty Images)

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The extent and implications of the company’s policy changes are not yet clear, but they appear to be part of a larger trend of companies feeling free to ditch diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Tractor Supply, John Deere and other major companies have backed away from progressive messaging and policies focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in recent months.

Fox Business reached out to Lowe’s for comment, but did not receive a response.