Nike received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (1). Among other requirements, this means Nike has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies. Nike fired an employee due to his COVID-19 vaccination status, even though the employee requested an exemption from this vaccination requirement because of his religious beliefs (2)(3). Nike laid off other employees due to their noncompliance with Nike’s vaccination policy as well (4).

Nike will not match employee donations to churches or religious organizations, “Key criteria include the specification that qualified organizations must not discriminate against a person or a group on the basis of age, political affiliation, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Faith-based organizations or programs qualify only if they are open to all individuals in the community regardless of religious belief and serve a secular purpose, such as a food pantry or a homeless shelter.” (1).

Nike does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).

Nike and its subsidiary, Converse, are members of the Business Coalition for the Equality Act and signed a statement in opposition to “anti-LGBTQ” legislation (1)(2)(3). Nike sponsors Pride Month advertisements and campaigns for the LGBTQIA community, including its “BETRUE” campaign (4)(5). Nike opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (6). Nike CEO John Donahoe is a member of the Business Roundtable and is a Ceres Network Member, committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 (7)(8). Converse supports BLM and publicly opposes alleged police brutality (9). Converse has released PRIDE collections and a shoe with advertisements that appear demonic (10)(11). Nike is a member of GARM, which aims to demonetize advertisements and suppress content that “vilifies” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity, discusses “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context” or spreads “hate speech” (12)(13)(14).

Nike and Converse have donated to Planned Parenthood and Nike reimburses employees for abortion-related travel (1)(2)(3). Nike is a Gold Corporate Partner of the HRC and a corporate partner of the NGLCC (4)(5). Nike has donated to the SPLC and pledged over $40 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes (6)(7)(8). Nike sponsored a transgender biological male for its female clothing line and its subsidiary Converse has donated nearly $2.5 million to LGBTQ organizations (9)(10)(11). Converse combats racial injustice by partnering with ACLU of MA and The Theater Offensive (12). Nike has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (13)(14).

Nike donated to the Equality PAC and lobbies in an ideological manner (1)(2)(3).