The Queering of Corporate America: Looking Beyond Citizens United

Abstract

This is the Conclusion to my book The Queering of Corporate America (Beacon Press, 2019). The book explains why and how big businesses in the US have become crucial political allies of the LGBTQ rights movement. In doing so, it explores how LGBTQ activism aimed at corporations has contributed to equality gains for sexual minorities and transgender individuals from the 1970s until today. The Conclusion explores how corporate activism on behalf of LGBTQ equality complicates the post-Citizens United narratives of both the right and the left. As traditional conservatives have learned from contemporary political disputes over issues such as the intersection of marriage equality and religious freedom, it is not easy — indeed, it is frequently impossible — for activists (regardless of their ideologies, beliefs, or objectives) to prevail in important public policy debates in the face of committed corporate opposition. This might suggest to some conservative supporters of Citizens United that placing reasonable limits on the ability of for-profit corporations to spend money to influence the outcome of elections may promote rather than undermine democracy. At the same time, several of this century’s LGBTQ rights debates have shown those on the left that corporate priorities, power, and influence can sometimes be deployed in ways that advance social change and reforms by, for example, helping expand opportunities and promote equality. Depending on the issue and circumstances, corporations can sometimes be allies of those who are fighting for a more fair, just, safe, and equal society. This might suggest to some on the left that it may be inappropriate to limit the free speech rights of corporations to participate in public policy debates.

Keywords: corporations, LGBT rights, free speech, civil rights activism