In March, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the infamous House Bill 2, thus limiting a person’s bathroom use to biological sex, instead of one’s gender identity, as well as instating a prohibition of discrimination lawsuits at the state level and prohibiting a municipality from passing its own ordinance against LGBT discrimination, as well as any ordinance that would raise minimum wage above the state standard.

Despite the many facets of HB2, it is the bathroom restriction based on sex that has garnered the most attention, with a critical nationwide audience dubbing it the “bathroom bill.”

As a result, many organizations, businesses and performers have pulled out of engagements in North Carolina, protesting what they feel to be discrimination against the LGBT community. From Cirque du Soleil to Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr, to PayPal and professional sports, the list slowly continues to grow.

Some may hail this as the right move for justice, as a way to stop the General Assembly in its tracks.

But as North Carolina loses millions of dollars in revenue, it may be time to ask: who are they really hurting?

Members of the LGBT community are North Carolinians, too. They live, work and play here, and call the “land of the longleaf pine” home. As businesses and performers take their profits elsewhere, those lost profits are putting a dent in the economy of which the LGBT community is a part. Not only do HB2 supporters take a hit, but also the non-supporters.

If it continues, the loss in revenue could lead to less visitors, less business from their visits, less profits, less businesses altogether and finally a decline in the economy. That means the LGBT community suffers, too.

Pulling out of prior obligations and engagements is not the way to go. Doing so will only drag the state of North Carolina down at the expense of all its residents.

It’s hurting everyone, even the very people they are trying to protect.

Performers could use their platform to make a larger statement to attendees. Companies could use their capital means to fund different candidates. Organizations could show their support for the LGBT community, as well.

It’s time to rethink the economic backlash. There’s a better way to make one’s voice heard.