Toyota to scrap all DEI and pro-LGBT policies following online backlash

 The Toyota Motor Corporation has announced its plans to discontinue its support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and pro-LGBTQ events and policies following online backlash.

This comes following an expose by internet conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who criticized the business for engaging in what he called "woke" efforts.

Some of these policies and events included forming Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) based on race and gender orientation, sponsoring a drag queen event at a children's summer camp, and supporting groups that opposed laws prohibiting gender transition therapies for minors.  

In its announcement, Toyota will "narrow community activities" and will instead focus all of its outreach programs to workforce readiness and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

Toyota will also be withdrawing from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, a report published annually rating how American businesses treat LGBTQ+ employees, consumers and investors.

In its statement issued to its 1,500 American dealerships and 50,000 United States-based employees, Toyota reaffirmed that it is dedicated to creating an inclusive atmosphere in its workplaces, but it will be focusing more on initiatives that improve productivity, such as team member engagement, professional development and mentorship.

Toyota's move praised by activists

The move was accepted by Starbuck because it is more than a corporate direction of neutrality. He pointed out how Toyota's message stressed the importance of focusing on the corporation's objectives and making sure company activities are focused on maintaining its core principles.

"This is a massive win for sanity," Starbuck told his followers in a post on X. "Toyota seems to have forgotten who their core customers are."

Starbuck further pointed out how Toyota's announcement shows that company leadership does not want to become involved in contentious or politically divisive matters and instead prioritize taking care of its consumers.

"I have to give the executives credit for taking this unifying action. It's not easy to do but they're preparing their business for future success by adopting corporate neutrality," said Starbuck. "The companies who adopt neutrality will win the future because they don't violate the core beliefs of the consumers they rely on."

Other DEI critics also welcomed Toyota's move to join other large corporations, including the Ford Motor Company, in moving away from DEI policies and regulations.

Ford CEO Jim Farley declared back in August that the corporation would not address divisive social topics and that ERGs would be available to all staff members. Ford made it clear that it would concentrate on business results and that it did not utilize quotas in its recruiting procedures.

Other firms that have rolled back their focus on DEI activities and pro-LGBTQ+ engagement and programs include home improvement goods retailer Lowe's, drink and brewing company Molson Coors, agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere, motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson and alcoholic beverage brand and manufacturer Jack Daniel's.

Some of these companies rolled back their policies because of reporting and lobbying from conservative activists, including Starbuck.

"Our campaigns are so effective that we're getting some of the biggest corporations on the planet to change their policies," said Starbuck. "The landscape of corporate America is quickly shifting to sanity and neutrality. We are the trend now, not the anomaly."