April 7, 2016

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) announced its dismay with the North Carolina legislature and governor’s recent actions to enact discriminatory legislation (HB 2) that overturns protections for LGBT people and sanctions discrimination across the state. As an organization that represents more than 26,000 interior design professionals, manufacturers and industry representatives, ASID believes that laws such as HB 2 are unacceptable and counterproductive for business and the profession at large. 

According to ASID, a thriving business environment depends on inclusive practices that welcome all who want to participate. While North Carolina prides itself on being one of the top states in the nation in which to conduct business and to establish businesses, HB 2 sends a clear and harmful message to the contrary. As a result, numerous businesses and consumers are calling for boycotts of North Carolina’s economy and, more specifically, the upcoming biannual High Point Market; one of the largest income producers for the state of North Carolina. 

Members of the design community have not only joined these calls, but also are forgoing participation at High Point Market—at a cost to their businesses. ASID commends their actions in the name of pressuring the governor and legislature to rescind HB 2. 

Similarly, ASID supports those individuals attending Market who wish to champion the many manufacturers and businesses speaking out against the new law, finding laws such as HB 2 that permit discrimination are regressive and place individuals at risk of being denied service, lodging, employment and business in general. Therefore, ASID encourages anyone attending Market to ask hard questions of the organizations they do business with and to consider carefully, and morally, where they spend their money. 

ASID rejects discrimination of any kind and, as the voice of the profession, expects public policies to support and protect—not jeopardize—its members, the profession and the industry. While ASID will continue with its scheduled programming at Market, which includes a session on The Impact of Government Laws and Regulations on Your Design Business, the organization will evaluate future interactions and business opportunities in North Carolina as well as other states with similar laws. The organization stated that its vigilance on this matter will not cease, and it strongly urges all elected officials to move without delay to repeal discriminatory laws like HB 2.