Norman business under fire for anti-transgender sign, reaffirms pro-LGBT stance

Norman – The Cube, an innovative "drive-thru convenience store" on Main St. in Norman, came under fire this week for a sign that was posted on its unisex employee restroom which stated: "NO TRANS-GENDER ZONE."

In a social media post that was shared over 3,000 times before being deleted, word spread across the Internet that Normanites should boycott the local business.

Freedom Oklahoma reached out to the ownership of The Cube to investigate the claim. Management has assured us that the sign was not posted in any official capacity and was removed shortly after it was discovered. They went further to share their corporate policies and procedures with us, which state:

Diversity in the Workplace

At The Cube, we are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive of all people and their individual differences. Those individual differences may include, among others, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity and expression, and genetic information.

We believe that our employees are the most important assets in building The Cube as both a successful company and desirable employer. Our goals are to attract and retain a diverse workforce, to develop policies and practices that fully use the human potential, and to build equity for our employees and communities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The Cube is an equal employment opportunity employer. All employees unless role is subject to or defined by b.f.o.q. * will be treated fairly, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity and expression, genetic information or on any other basis protected by local, state or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one's employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.

Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited

The Cube strictly prohibits discrimination, sexual harassment or harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

This prohibition applies to all partners, vendors or customers. No employee is expected to tolerate any conduct prohibited by this policy from anyone while at work or while engaged in company business. 

Freedom Oklahoma is satisfied that this was an isolated incident and not the corporate policy of The Cube. We will of course continue in a dialogue with The Cube about diversity and equal opportunity in the work place as we do with business across Oklahoma.

The Cube management released this statement : "The Cube is a local business trying to service everyone in the community. We do not support or tolerate discrimination, of any kind. We not only believe in equality, but we have LGBTQ employees currently, who love working here. This was an unfortunate incident, we do not know who put the sign up, and it in no way represents our values." 

"Norman is an open and inclusive community, and we are happy that The Cube has reaffirmed their corporate policy and its commitment to the diversity of the Norman community," said Freedom Oklahoma executive director, Troy Stevenson. "Freedom Oklahoma will continue to work with business and corporations across Oklahoma to ensure that freedom means freedom for everyone."

For information about the cube, visit www.yourcube.com/home.

Freedom Oklahoma is Oklahoma's statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization and a proud member of the Equality Federation. Freedom Oklahoma is the unified organization resulting from the merger of The Equality Network, a 501(c)4 organization that lobbies for pro-equality legislation and public policies; and the Cimarron Alliance Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that engaged in public education in support of the LGBTQ community.

The Gayly - 4/28/2016 @ 3:31 p.m. CDT