Friday, 26 June 2015

America’s Biggest Companies React To SCOTUS’ Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

While it might not seem like there’s a direct link to same sex marriage and our country’s biggest businesses, even before the Supreme Court of the United States ruled today that marriage is a constitutional right for any American, many major companies came out in support of same-sex marriage, saying those rights help them do business better. Today, some of those companies — and more — spoke out in celebration of the landmark ruling.

American Airlines: “We’re on board. Diversity strengthens us all & today we celebrate #MarriageEquality & the landmark #SCOTUS decision.”

Google/YouTube: “The United States took a step in the right direction today. https://goo.gl/yxnoHz #ProudToLove”

Though Apple isn’t on Twitter, CEO Tim Cook is: “Today marks a victory for equality, perseverance and love.”

JetBlue: “Love is in the air. #LetFreedomWing #SCOTUSMarriage #MarriageEquality”

MasterCard: “Love matters. Happiness matters. #AcceptanceMatters #Marriage #Equality”

Maytag: “Here’s to finding the one who completes you. #SCOTUSMarriage”

Ben & Jerry’s: “How #MarriageEquality became a reality in the United States! #LoveWins”

Hilton Hotels: “From sea to shining sea. Let’s celebrate #equality!#SCOTUS”

Staples: “MAKE equality HAPPEN #LoveWins”

Uber: “It is so ordered. #LoveWins”

According to Seth Fiegerman of Mashable, Uber’s app now shows cars with rainbow flags as well:

We’ll keep updating the list as the day goes on — if you spot other companies reacting to the news, feel free to email us at tips@consumerist.com.

In March, some of the above companies signed an amicus brief filed in the in the matter of Obergefell v. Hodges, saying bans on gay marriage caused low employee morale and were bad for business.

“The burden imposed by inconsistent and discriminatory state laws of having to administer complicated schemes to account for differential treatment of similarly situated employees breeds unnecessary confusion, tension, and diminished employee morale,” the brief read.

Though many companies don’t have a direct stake in same sex marriage, they argued that if the court decided to allow each state to decide for itself about marriage equality, “the costs and uncertainty imposed by inconsistent state marriage laws will only continue,” while establishing equality as the law of the land would “reduce current costs, administrative burden, and diversion of resources from our core businesses.”

Companies who joined the brief included: Comcast, Coca-Cola, Aetna, Amazon, American Express, Apple, Citigroup, DirecTV, eBay, General Mills, Google, JetBlue, Marriott, MillerCoors, the New England Patriots, NIKE, the San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Verizon, Visa, Twitter, Prudential, Facebook, Staples, Office Depot, Disney and hundreds more businesses.


by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

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