Capital Factory’s mission is about connecting people together to help them reach their full potential and solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. In order to attract the best talent and get the best work out of them, we promote an inclusive and diverse workplace that encourages everyone to be their authentic selves. At Capital Factory, our members and their guests to use whichever bathroom feels most appropriate to them — ours are labeled “Lukes” and “Leias” because we love Star Wars.

If the Texas Legislature passes the “bathroom bill” the impact on the Texas technology and business community would be even more devastating than in North Carolina. It would stunt our growth, drive away businesses and the talented employees that fuel our work, and it would endanger important events such as South by Southwest and Formula One — events that are crucial to our small business economy and that make Austin a vibrant place where people want to put down roots.

Personally, I found clarity on this issue very quickly after I met a transgender person for the first time. It takes incredible personal sacrifice to go through that transition and puts the person in constant danger of physical assault. I believe that the transgender people — especially children — are the ones who we need to be protecting in the bathrooms.