Facebook is coming to anti-LGBT state of Alabama.
The $750 million data center coming to Huntsville, approved two weeks ago by the Huntsville City Council under the guise of a masking name, was revealed Thursday.
Gov. Kay Ivey who recently signed a law that allows people to discriminate against gay couples, attended the news conference at the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, making the announcement as the cover on the backdrop fell to the floor to reveal the familiar Facebook logo.
“Every day, millions of people around the world use Facebook’s products, and this new Alabama data center will soon play a role in keeping the company’s popular platforms running flawlessly,” Ivey said. “Facebook has found a great location in Sweet Home Alabama, and we’ll do our best to help the company grow and prosper here.
If Facebook cared or would have done their homework they would have known that Alabama has a no promo homo law, which states that “[c]ourse materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should include […] an emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state.” (Ala. Code § 16-40A-2)
- HOUSING
- The state does not prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- EMPLOYMENT
- The state does not prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- HATE CRIMES
- The state does have a law that addresses hate or bias crimes based on sexual orientation only.
- PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS
- The state does not prohibit discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- SCHOOL ANTI-BULLYING
- The state does not have a law that addresses harassment and/or bullying of students based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- EDUCATION
- The state does not have a law that addresses discrimination against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- TRANSGENDER HEALTHCARE
- The state has neither a ban on insurance exclusions for transgender healthcare nor does it provide transgender-inclusive health benefits to state employees.
- GENDER MARKER CHANGE ON IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS
- The state does not have laws or policies that facilitate gender marker change on driver’s licenses or birth certificates.
- CONVERSION THERAPY
- This state has no restrictions on so-called “conversion therapy.”
And while Huntsville Huntsville has perhaps the oldest history of recognizing LGBT individuals, with the Rocket City Pride event. The cities non-discrimination laws (1 of only 4 cities in the state) are extremely weak and only rate 17 out of a possible 100 on a national equality scale
Said Matt VanderZanden, director of site selection at Facebook.
“We are excited to be joining the Huntsville community. As one of the fastest growing tech hubs in the country, we knew it would be a great location for our newest data center. We are committed to having a positive impact at the local level and look forward to a strong partnership with the Huntsville community.”
Fuck you Facebook
