Lowe’s has announced major changes to its LGBTQ inclusivity efforts, yielding to pressure from far-right conservatives. The retailer will no longer engage in Human Rights Campaign surveys, sponsor Pride parades, or maintain separate minority-focused employee resource groups. It will be opting instead for a consolidated group serving all demographics. Despite these shifts, Lowe’s maintains a diversity webpage, asserting its commitment to a culture of belonging. The company statement says, “We’re committed to fostering a culture where every member of the Lowe’s team truly feels they belong. When associates can be their authentic selves at work, they perform at their best—and when that happens, we all win.” The push for these changes is attributed to Robby Starbuck, a far-right influencer known for his anti-LGBTQ stance. Starbuck has led similar campaigns against other major companies, including Jack Daniel's, claiming success through a combination of fear and social media influence. Starbuck bragged on Twitter, “We’re now forcing multi-billion dollar organizations to change their policies without even posting just from fear they have of being the next company that we expose.” Reporter Judd Legum describes Starbuck as a conspiracy theorist who, among other claims, has suggested that chemicals in tap water are making children gay—an unfounded theory frequently circulated on the right. Starbuck’s recent social media posts advocate for restrictive measures on Pride events and criticize supportive companies as “woke,” fueling further controversy. #Queer Up Business