Backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion policy is surging in the US, and major companies are scaling back their efforts. Trump's second presidency is likely to intensify this trend. So why are experts hopeful?

Donald Trump is preparing to take office after defeating Kamala Harris in the U.S. Presidential election.

U.S. Presidential Elect

A small business in Warsaw, Poland, led by gay couple Sebastian and Wojciech, is making strides in promoting LGBTQ acceptance through their company Dwar Borsuki, which translates to "The Two Badgers". They create handmade bags and accessories adorned with a rainbow flag to support Poland's LGBTQ community. Despite challenges from Poland's right-wing government, which has impacted LGBTQ-supportive NGOs, their products not only represent a symbol of gay pride but also support pro-LGBTQ organizations, with customer incentives to show proof of donations.

Their bags, made from donated offcuts from textile companies, have attracted clients like French cosmetics brand Garnier. The business aims to grow further with corporate partnerships while maintaining its commitment to quality and social impact. Another Polish company, Kubota, known for its famous flip-flops, has incorporated LGBTQ-positive campaigns since 2018. Although it faced some backlash, the brand has seen an increase in sales, reaching turnover rates of approximately six million euros annually and has expanded its market beyond Polish borders, including Germany.

Both businesses are part of Poland's so-called "pink economy", valued at 35.8 billion euros per year, making it the seventh largest in the European Union. Despite the lack of awareness among some citizens about the pink economy, experts suggest keeping political interventions out of the economy to allow such businesses to thrive. The pink economy contributes just over 5 percent to Poland's GDP, underscoring its significance in the national economic landscape. These efforts by Polish businesses illustrate a significant movement toward both economic growth and societal acceptance for the LGBTQ community.



With Trump returning, U.S. firms back off on DEI

A residential building in central Warsaw, down in the basement the workshop of gay couple Sebastian and Wojciech and their business Dwar Borsuki, Polish for the two badgers. They create handmade bags and accessories, each with a rainbow flag attached, to show their support for Poland's LGBTQ community. A big furniture chain with a global presence or a big clothing chain can use this symbol, but there is no message linked to it. They do not support any of the LGBT organizations. I believe their desire is to capitalize on some of this pink money from the market. A backpack costs around 55 euros, but their customers get a 10 euro discount if they can prove they've donated to a pro-LGBTQ organization. LGBTQ life in Poland isn't easy. The right-wing government, which had been in power for eight years, has made it difficult for NGOs which support LGBTQ rights. These bags Sebastian is sewing are to be sold to business, the French cosmetics brand Garnier. It's everything for us now. Sometimes we are tired because we had a lot of work and we were doing it only for two of us. But it's nice. All their products are made from offcuts they acquire free from other textile businesses. This is a small business here in Warsaw. They make all of their products here themselves. And the plan is, with corporate clients now on board, that they can grow. And not just within the LGBT community. Another business promoting LGBTQ acceptance in Poland is Kubota, based in the western town of Lodz. A famous Polish flip-flop brand from the 90s, which saw its sales dwindling to a few hundred pairs per year. Wacław Mikołajewski was part of a takeover team in 2018, who revamped the brand and started running pro-LGBTQ public campaigns. We could expect that there will be some reactions which are not so nice. And they were. They said, you know, I will never buy again your flip-flops. And we say, OK, goodbye. But much more came. They're now turning over six million euros per year and starting to sell outside of Poland's borders, including in Germany. These are businesses considered part of the pink economy, a term used to describe the purchasing power of the LGBT community. According to 2022 data from OutNow Consulting, Poland's so-called pink economy is worth 35.8 billion euros per year. It's the seventh biggest pink economy in the European Union and growing. So if you were Ben and Jerry's or Pantene, for example, both of which have undertaken fairly significant commercial marketing campaigns which feature LGBT plus content in Poland in recent years, you are thinking, I would suggest, both with your heart and with your head. Poland's GDP is nearly 700 billion euros. So the pink economy makes up just over 5 percent. One economist here in Poland told us the government is wise to keep political positions out of economics in order to let businesses thrive. I'm not a big fan of everyday interventionism of a government to the economy. It's what's the market is driving the growth in the long period of time. And most countries which thrive is basically they create the regulations that can enable individuals and businesses to thrive in them. But what do Poles on the streets think of this so-called pink economy? My first thought about that is it's something common with Barbie. What is that? I don't know. I have no idea, actually. I know what is a gold money and I know what is a green money. I don't know what is a pink money. Back in the workshop, Twardowski's business is a labour of love. They hope their contribution to the Polish economy can also bring acceptance and rainbows into Polish society.

U.S. President Donald Trump is ducking press questions about newly released emails connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities ahead of an expected vote on releasing all Epstein case files by the U.S. House of Representatives as early as next week.

Washington

Trump avoids media’s Epstein email questions

The U.S. government lumbered back to life on Thursday (November 13) after the longest shutdown in U.S. history snarled air traffic, cut food assistance to low-income Americans and forced more than 1 million workers to go unpaid for more than a month. But the deep political divisions that caused the 43-day shutdown in the first place remain unresolved.

U.S. government opens up again but deep political divisions remain

China's factory output and retail sales grew at their weakest pace in over a year in October, piling pressure on policymakers to revamp the $19 trillion export-driven economy as mounting supply and demand strains threaten to further curtail growth.

Beijing

China's factory output, retail sales growth worst in over a year

Germany's government plans to bring back military service, to boost troop numbers to deal with the perceived threat from Russia. But voluntary conscription could become compulsory, if not enough recruits come forward.

Berlin

Germany outlines potential shift to compulsory conscription

As F-35 stealth fighter jets fly missions from a reopened naval base in Puerto Rico and Marines practice beach landings, sources tell CBS News the Pentagon is preparing for possible military action in Venezuela. Charlie D'Agata reports.

Pentagon preparing for possible military action in Venezuela

President Trump's name appears hundreds of times in the newly-released batch of 23,000 pages of records and messages from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, raising questions about their relationship. Mr. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has called the scandal a "hoax" perpetrated by Democrats.

Trump named hundreds of times in newly released Epstein files

A federal judge has ruled that hundreds of people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during "Operation Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area must be released. CBS News immigration and politics reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez has more.

Chicago

Judge finds ICE illegally arrested hundreds of people in Chicago

For the first time in six weeks, the U.S. government is open. President Trump signed a bill last night to fund the government through the end of January.

Trump says he is 'willing to work with anyone' on health care

U.S. forces have killed four people in the latest strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean. CBS News national security coordinating producer James LaPorta has more.

Caracas

U.S. forces kill four in latest Caribbean drug boat strike

Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the West Bank on Thursday (November 13) and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, Palestinian residents said.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli settlers torch mosque in West Bank, residents say

Thailand-Cambodia border tensions escalate days after a US-backed ceasefire agreement breaks down.

Bangkok

Thailand-Cambodia tensions escalate as truce hangs in the balance

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is one step closer to the full release of the Justice Department's documents on Jeffrey Epstein after securing the final signature needed to force a House vote. Scott MacFarlane reports.

House to vote on Epstein files release after bipartisan group push

With the Amazon nearing a tipping point, Indigenous voices are demanding immediate action at COP30, with campaigners saying their protests are a stark reminder that time is running out to stop catastrophic climate change.

Belém

Indigenous voices demand action at COP30 amid Amazon crisis

The U.S. government's longest standoff left both parties facing heavy criticism, and neither is likely to claim victory. Millions of Americans felt the impact, from hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal workers to families left without food stamps.

Trump signs deal to end record 43-day U.S. shutdown

Venezuela is preparing a 'massive mobilization' of its military as the U.S.’s largest warship arrives in the Caribbean Sea after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a military buildup in the region.

Venezuela readying military as U.S.’s largest warship arrives

After 43 days, Congress passes a bill to reopen the U.S. government—Trump to sign spending legislation into law.

Washington County

U.S. House votes to re-open government, Trump to sign bill

Linda Sun faces trial – Prosecutors allege she secretly advanced China’s interests while serving in New York government.

New York

Ex-aide to NY governor accused of being China agent

The House passed a funding bill to end the government shutdown on Wednesday night, sending the measure to President Trump's desk for final signature.

House passes bill to fund government and end U.S. shutdown

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the G7 summit to discuss defense, trade, and global security cooperation amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Kananaskis

Canada meets with U.S. counterpart Rubio at G7 summit

Venezuela has announced a "massive mobilization" of its military forces, as the U.S. continues its military buildup in the Caribbean. The announcement comes in the wake of U.S. strikes that have targeted at least 20 vessels in the waters around Latin America, killing dozens of people.

Venezuela mobilizing military as U.S. builds up military presence

The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a long-awaited bill to end the government shutdown. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has more from Capitol Hill.

House of Representatives ready vote on ending government shutdown

Warning: Some details are disturbing. An Army OB-GYN in Texas is accused of years of sexual assault and abuse of women on multiple bases, according to a recent lawsuit.

Killeen

Army gynecologist accused of secretly taking videos during exams

U.S. House Democrats on Wednesday released emails from Jeffrey Epstein referencing President Donald Trump, who has denied any knowledge of the convicted sex offender's crimes. In a 2019 email, Epstein said Trump "knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop."

New emails from Epstein mentioning Trump released by House Democrats

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to allegations of taking bribes to rig pitches. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Brooklyn

Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz arraigned, pleads not guilty

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the BBC while urging it to correct errors after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a $1 billion lawsuit over a misleading edit of his Jan. 6, 2021 speech. The controversy led to the resignations of the BBC director general and head of news.

London

UK PM Keir Starmer backs BBC amid Trump threat

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on a spending bill that passed in the Senate earlier this week and could bring the longest government shutdown to an end.

House to vote on funding bill that could reopen government

The USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group has moved into the Latin America region, U.S. officials say, dramatically escalating a military buildup that has deepened tensions with Venezuela.

Largest U.S. aircraft carrier sailing to Latin America region

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. CBS News' Courtney Kealy has more.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Trump urges Israel's president to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu

Three astronauts remain stuck in space after their return capsule was damaged by orbital debris—delaying their journey home.

Three Chinese astronauts stranded in space after capsule damage

The former first lady of Gabon and her son were being tried in absentia on various corruption charges.

See The Full Story

U.S. Presidential Elect