Category Archives: Gay Marriage
Not All Gay Couples want to be Married
According to an article in New York Times this week, gay marriage is not for all gay couples.
Now that same-sex couples in 14 states have all the rights and
responsibilities of straight married couples, gay couples are rushing to
the altar, right? Not exactly. Plenty of gay couples do not want to
marry, and their reasons are as complex — and personal — as any decision
to wed.
For some, marriage is an outdated institution, one that forces same-sex
couples into the mainstream. For others, marriage imposes financial
burdens and legal entanglements. Still others see marriage not as a
fairy tale but as a potentially painful chapter that ends in divorce.
And then there are those for whom marriage goes against their beliefs,
religious or otherwise.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE
Must See TV Sunday October 27th on Oprah’s OWN
“OPRAH’S NEXT CHAPTER” – GAY HOLLYWOOD
Sunday, October 27
from 9-10 p.m. ET/PT
Oprah hosts a conversation about being gay
in America with actress/comedienne Wanda Sykes, “Modern Family” star
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and “Scandal” Emmy award-winner Dan Bucatinsky.
The actors share when they knew they were gay,
how they came out, the reactions from family members and the process of
acceptance.
They discuss the state of television and the impact being
gay has had on their careers in Hollywood. Together they also talk about
parenting, marriage equality and the importance
of role models within the community.
Followed by – “BRIDEGROOM”
Sunday, October 27 from 10 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. ET/PT
“Bridegroom” is a documentary film by
director Linda Bloodworth Thomason (“Designing Women”) that tells the
emotional journey of Shane Bitney Crone and Tom Bridegroom, two young
men in a loving and committed relationship that was
cut tragically short. The story of what happened after Tom’s
accidental death– of how people in relationships without the legal
protections of marriage can find themselves completely shut out and
ostracized by family members – is poignant, thought provoking
and sheds more light on the issue of marriage equality and human
rights.
On the anniversary of Tom’s death, after a
year of documenting his own grief, Shane decided to make a video tribute
to his partner entitled “It Could Happen to You.” The video went viral
and has garnered over four million views.
Although it was a cathartic process for Shane and a tribute to the
love of his life, more than anything, he wanted it to serve as a warning
to other LGBT couples, and to show the world what can happen when two
people are legally barred from having equal rights
and protections that are granted to others under marriage laws.
The film has earned numerous accolades,
including audience awards at the TriBeca Film Festival, where it was
introduced by President Bill Clinton, and Outfest Los Angeles Film
Festival. Shane continues to work alongside organizations
including GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign to promote equality, and
received the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Award in 2012. “Bridegroom” will
be available on DVD on November 19, 2013.
BRIDEGROOM Movie will be EVERYWHERE by Late October
BRIDEGROOM is the MUST SEE LGBT Movie of the year!
It started with a heart wrenching video that went viral overnight. On May 7, 2012, the anniversary of Tom’s death, after a year of
documenting his own grief, Shane decided to make a video tribute to his
partner entitled “It Could Happen To You.” This film, posted on YouTube,
received over 3.4 million views and has been translated into over 20
different languages. The impact of Shane’s YouTube video and the raw
nerve it touched, tells us this is an important story that needs to be
told.
With the incredible support from influential people like Brad and George
Takei and Neil Patrick Harris, Bridegroom was successfully funded on
July 19, 2012 by over 6,500 people on Kickstarter.com becoming the most
funded documentary in the history of crowd funding, and released in the
fall of 2013.
BRIDEGROOM is a documentary directed by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason that
tells the emotional journey of Shane and Tom, two young men in a loving
and committed relationship — a relationship that was cut tragically
short by a misstep off the side of a roof. The story of what happened
after this accidental death– of how people without the legal protections
of marriage can find themselves completely shut out and ostracized– is
poignant, enraging and opens a window onto the issue of marriage
equality like no speech or lecture ever will.
OWN Network will premiere the movie October 27th!
BRIDEGROOM TO BE AVAILABLE
FOR ALL NETFLIX MEMBERS IN LATE OCTOBER
OWN IT! Pre-order Bridegroom NOW!
“This
is really, on one level, a wonderful, sad, heart-breaking yet
exhilarating and life-affirming story, and on another level, it’s a
story
about our nation’s struggle to take one more step in forming a more
perfect union, for which marriage is both the symbol and substance,”
said former President Bill Clinton of the film.
Shane Crone also added “BRIDEGROOM
is not about revenge or politics. It is a film about love,
forgiveness, and about finding the courage to be who you are when the
world says you shouldn’t. This is my fairy tale, and Tom is, and always
will be, my happy ending.”
BRIDEGROOM Official site
Bridegroom on Facebook
CNNMoney – Many same-sex couples eligible for big tax refunds
Married same-sex couples who paid extra tax because
the federal government didn’t recognize their marriage are now eligible
to get some of that money back.
The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, defined marriage as between a
man and a woman, which meant married same-sex couples had to file their
taxes individually. But the Supreme
Court’s summer ruling overturned that law. Now these couples are
not only able to file as married going forward, but they have the option
of amending their tax returns for the past three years if it would
benefit them.
For some couples, doing this will reduce their overall tax liability
and result in big refunds, which is typically the case when there is a
large disparity in incomes (for example, when one spouse doesn’t
work).They can also claim any tax paid on health
insurance benefits extended from one spouse to another through an
employer-sponsored plan.
Refunds will vary widely by couple, and could be as high as tens of thousands of dollars.
Janet and Janet Emery-Black, from Nampa, Idaho, are anticipating retroactive refunds totaling $30,000. Another couple,
Adele and Jennifer Hoppe-House, from Los Angeles, expect to get back $13,000.
Read FULL ARTICLE HERE
FEDERAL Government WILL Recognize Same Sex Marriages
The U.S. Department of Treasury has just made it official: legally
married same-sex couples will receive the same tax benefits as
opposite-sex married couples, regardless of where they reside.
In
a call earlier today, U.S. Treasury Department Secretary Jacob Lew told
leadership of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
(NGLCC) and other LGBT interest groups that effective immediately the
U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
ruled that same-sex couples, legally married in jurisdictions that
recognize their marriages, will be treated as married for federal tax purposes.
The ruling applies regardless of whether the couple lives in a
jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage or a jurisdiction that
does not recognize same-sex marriage.
“Today’s ruling provides
certainty and clear, coherent tax filing guidance for all legally
married same-sex couples nationwide. It provides access to benefits,
responsibilities and protections under federal tax law that all
Americans deserve,” said Secretary Lew. “This ruling also assures
legally married same-sex couples that they can move freely throughout
the country knowing that their federal filing status will not change.”
This
is a major victory for the entire equality movement, but especially for
married same-sex couples who own and operate businesses. LGBT people
who are legally married in one of the 13 states that grant same-sex
marriage, can now ensure their business is a “family” business and are
legally entitled to determine the legacy of their wealth.
The
NGLCC will continue to work with LGBT small business owners to ensure
they are equipped with all the pertinent knowledge and resources
throughout this transition. The organization will also advise dozens of
our more than 140 corporate partners who will be augmenting grossing-up
best practices as a result of this announcement.
Other key takeaways:
- Joint filing beginning 2014 for couples married in 2013.
- Retro-active filing for those married in the past three years.
- Same tax treatment for items like income, gifts, and estate.
Secretary
Lew acknowledged there would be further refinements needed and that
both his department and the IRS are looking to the public to help
identify these needed refinements; for instance, child tax credit issues
surrounding same-sex parents where it is not legal at the state level
for a same-sex second parent to adopt.
Cedar Point Amusement Park Cancels Wedding Contest…Rather than Allow Gay Couples to Participate
SANDSUSKY, Ohio
— CEDAR POINT, A huge amusement park in Ohio is canceling a wedding contest after a gay
couple organized a protest against the promotion because it excluded
same-sex couples.
Cedar Point amusement park, one the biggest coaster parks in the US, initially limited the
contest to male and female couples because it said state law doesn’t
allow gay couples to legally marry in Ohio. A spokesman says the park
decided to cancel the event once it started to take on political
undertones, reported the Sandusky Register.
Akron couple Scott Kenimond, 37, and Eric Morrison, 28, who had
considered holding their commitment ceremony at the park, recruited
friends and strangers to send “tweets” to Cedar Point, asking them to
allow gay couples to apply.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s legal or not,” Morrison said. “You should be able to have a commitment ceremony.”
Cedar Point simply decided to cancel the contest.
The theme
said there was no negative intent for the contest, but that “Cedar Point
does not take any official stance on political issues.”
“I’m
disappointed they would choose to go that way rather than stand behind
their LGBT community,” said Morrison. “Ultimately, they’re playing it
safe. But it’s a cowardly choice.”
What kind of message does this send to their LGBT employees? to their LGBT park guests?
With marriage equality gaining in popularity, why not allow it, and be the hero?
THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT –
Cedar Point does not discriminate against any guest for any reason. The ‘Friday
the 13th Wedding’ event was created as a fun, in-park promotion to
generate excitement for the kickoff of HalloWeekends. There was no
negative intent.
When the promotion logistics started to take on
political undertones, as indicated by several guests who gave us
feedback, it was decided that now is not the best time for this event.
Cedar Point does not take any official stance on political
issues.
Outside of official park-provided promotions, Cedar
Point does offer opportunities for all couples to have weddings,
commitment ceremonies and other events here at the park. We encourage
guests to contact us if they’re interested in planning
such an event.
Ohioans’ certitude about gay marriage a decade ago has given way to ambiguity, potentially
setting the stage next year for a second major battle on one of the most divisive social issues of
our time.
Some backers of a constitutional amendment to allow two consenting adults to marry regardless of
gender want to go to the statewide ballot in the 2014 gubernatorial election, a roll of the dice on
a question that 62 percent of voters answered in 2004. They amended the constitution to define
marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively prohibiting same-sex marriages in Ohio.
Since then, polling shows a shift in Ohioans’ views, and there have been high-profile Republican
defectors to the pro-gay-marriage side, including U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of Cincinnati and former
Ohio attorney general and state auditor Jim Petro — both of whom changed their positions after eachhad a child come out.
No More DOMA! NO MORE PROP 8!!!
The Defense of Marriage Act has been ruled unconstitutional.
from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states, is
unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday by a 5-4 vote.
purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by
its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity,” Justice
Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. “By seeking to displace
this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less
respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth
Amendment.”
Here is the opinion finding no standing in the Prop 8 case, Hollingsworth v Perry, written by chief justice Roberts.
Held: Petitioners did not have standing to appeal the District Court’s order. […]
Petitioners have no role—special or otherwise—in its enforcement.
They therefore have no “personal stake” in defending its enforcement
that is distinguishable from the general interest of every California
citizen.
EVERYONE is standing by for the PROP 8 Ruling
The justices are expected to issue a ruling WEDNESDAY on
Proposition 8: California’s ban on same sex marriage.
down, and local businesses are gearing up for the possibility of a BIG WIN on Prop 8!
legal in the United States, in California. So we were like uh oh, we
have to do a wedding here too,” said Gregory, owner of My Little Flower
Shop.
they all went you can’t get married without us there,” said Alan.
walking down the aisle, My Little Flower Shop already has bookings for
July and August.
actually putting in a warehouse very soon just to get ready for it,”
said Gregory.
DOMA and PROP 8 Decision coming Wednesday!
or the Defense of Marriage Act today. The court said it will convene
again tomorrow, Wednesday, at 7 a.m. for the last time this term to issue its
remaining decisions. Presumably, those will include rulings on the
same-sex marriage cases.
BRAZIL wants Gay Marriage Legal Across Their Nation!
BRAZIL welcomes Gay Marriage! The authorities in Brazil have ruled that marriage licences should not be denied to same-sex couples.
system and is headed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, said
government offices that issue marriage licenses had no standing to
reject gay couples.
The Supreme Court “affirmed that the
expression of homosexuality and homosexual affection cannot serve as a
basis for discriminatory treatment, which has no support in the
Constitution,” said Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa on the council’s
website, referring to a 2011 ruling by the top court.
Barbosa
also said there was no reason for the government’s marriage licensing
offices to wait for the Brazilian Congress to pass a law authorising
same-sex marriage.
The council that oversees the country’s judiciary said it was
wrong for some offices just to issue civil union documents when the
couple wanted full marriage certificates.
Correspondents say the decision in effect authorises gay marriage.
Rhode Island is State Number 10 for Marriage Equality
ILLINOIS was hoping to be state number 10 –
Gays, lesbians, their friends and families erupted into cheers Thursday
following a final 56-15 vote in the Rhode Island House, and then again
an hour later when Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the bill into law on the
Statehouse steps.
“Democracy feels good, doesn’t it?” said House Speaker Gordon Fox,
D-Providence, who is gay. Fox struggled to keep his composure as he
addressed the crowd at the Statehouse, looking over at his longtime
partner, Marcus LaFond. “This tells me our relationship does matter. It
means that we mean something.”
The first marriages will take place Aug. 1, when the new law takes effect.
Bill O’Reilly Gives Full Support to Gay Marriage
I was never a fan of Bill O’Reilly….until now. His views were always too far right and I thought he was sort of a jerk! He spent years railing against gay activists and belittling gay marriage.
that marriage, like driving a car, is a privilege, not a right. He has
said that if the government felt marriage was a right, then it would not
stop polygamists and incestuous couples from marrying. O’Reilly further explained his position in his book Culture Warrior
“To this culture warrior, gay marriage is not a vital issue. I don’t
believe the republic will collapse if Larry marries Brendan. However, it
is clear that most Americans want heterosexual marriage to maintain its
special place in American society. And as long as gays are not
penalized in the civil arena, I think the folks should make the call at
the ballot box. Traditional marriage is widely seen as a social
stabilizer, and I believe that is true.”
On March 26, 2013, O’Reilly stated “I support civil unions, I always
have. The gay marriage thing, I don’t feel that strongly about it one
way or the other. I think the states should do it.” O’Reilly then said,
“The compelling argument is on the side of homosexuals … ‘We’re
Americans, we just want to be treated like everybody else.‘ That’s a
compelling argument, and to deny that you’ve got to have a very strong
argument on the other side. And the other side hasn’t been able to do
anything but thump the Bible.”
The Hollywood Reporter quizzed
FOX News host Bill O’Reilly about his remarks during the Supreme Court
marriage hearings that the “compelling argument is on the side of
homosexuals” and that “Bible thumpers” are losing.
Asked if he stood by those remarks, O’Reilly said that marriage
should be left to the states. Asked if he supports DOMA repeal, O’Reilly
said Congress should do whatever they want.
COLUMBUS OHIO – Gay New Alert
NEWS for Columbus! They’re coming…
This Thursday night at 7pm, the anti-gay crew from the Family Research
Council and a controversial anti-gay Baptist church preacher
will meet at the Ohio Union on the campus of The Ohio State
University to oppose marriage equality.
But don’t worry: FREEDOM OHIO will be there too and will be joined by
my friend Elyzabeth Holford, the
new Executive Director of Equality Ohio. Together, Elyzabeth and I will
give these guys a debate they won’t soon forget.
If you
want to join us in person, ABC-6 asks you to fill-out the form located
here. If you cannot join us
in person, you can watch the live broadcast or live webcast on WSYX Channel
6 or their website.
While we may not change the
minds of those on the stage on Thursday, it is clear to a majority of
Ohioans that this amendment is about family security, civil rights,
and the protection of religious freedom. The truth is, no house of worship
will be required to perform or recognize a wedding that conflicts with
their teachings and beliefs. At the same time, anti-gay houses of worship
and their faithful will not be permitted to stop a loving couple from
marrying; because marriage is and always will be a civil right.
WHO: FreedomOhio and Equality
Ohio
WHAT: Marriage Town Hall
WHEN: 7-8 pm Thursday,
April 11th
WHERE: The OSU Ohio Union, 1739 N High St. Columbus,
OH 43210
Shane Bitney Crones story BRIDEGROOM Movie Coming Soon
made by Shane Bitney Crone in response to the accidental death of his
boyfriend Tom Bridegroom. The video went viral. It was a tribute to their love chronicled what happened to
Shane after Tom’s sudden death has been viewed more than 3.6 million
times, and still climbing.
1986, my mother was diagnosed with AIDS, after receiving a contaminated
blood transfusion. This occurred just as the pilot for “Designing
Women” was getting underway. As I wrote much of the first season,
sitting beside my mom, I was witness to the incredible prejudice and
prevailing ignorance inflicted not just on her, but all the homosexual
men who shared her hospital floor. Because of this, I was honored to
write the Emmy nominated DW episode, “Killing all the Right People,”
which was television’s first scripted show to tackle the hateful
prejudice surrounding gays and AIDS.
Little did I
know that I would someday be provided with another opportunity to
address this same kind of bigotry. It all began when I attended a gay
wedding ceremony in Palm Springs, California. That night, a couple of
unforgettable, young men named Shane and Tom joined my table. I learned
they were “Designing Women” fans, madly in love and literally brimming
with all their big plans for an exciting life together. Sadly, that
possibility ended when Tom was killed in an accident last year. When I
heard the news, I was haunted by the sheer weight of Shane’s loss. Even
though I barely knew them, their good-hearted demeanors and earnest
love had made an indelible impression on me.
Then, a few weeks
ago, I saw Shane’s YouTube posting, along with his bone crushing grief
and the story of what happened to him after Tom’s death—and all because
they were never allowed to marry. Like so many others who saw this
video, I was deeply touched. And angered. I called Shane told him I
wanted to make a documentary that would tell his and Tom’s love story
from beginning to end. I have now seen all of Shane and Tom’s videos
and home movies. Like a lot of young people, they routinely documented
their lives—but this recorded history is so prolific, it almost seems as
though they had a premonition or unconscious fear of not getting to
live out something important.”
The kickstarter campaign went viral! With the incredible support from influential people like Brad and George
Takei and Neil Patrick Harris, Bridegroom was successfully funded on
July 19, 2012 by over 6,500 people on Kickstarter.com becoming the most
funded documentary in the history of crowd funding.
And now the movie has been made. Shane says, “”It has been said that sharing personal stories is one of the most
effective ways to change people’s hearts and minds. This is my story and
I hope you are inspired to share it with others.”
Marie Osmond talks Sons Suicide and Marriage Equality for Gays
The tide is changing on public opinion for gay marriage. TIME magazine did a huge article and cover this week about the public opinion shift on gay marriage.
Marie Osmond tells Diane Sawyer she believes in marriage equality:
“The God that I believe in is a god of love, not fear. I don’t tell
my children if you’re not good you’re going to Hell. I tell my children
that God will be there for them when they struggle. That’s the God I
believe in...I believe in [my lesbian daughter’s] civil rights, as a
mother. I think my daughter deserves everything that she desires in
life. She’s a good girl. She’s a wonderful child. I don’t think God made
one color flower. I think he made many...”
TIME: The Supreme Court Hasn’t Made Up Its Mind — But America Has
As the Supreme Court hears arguments on pivotal same-sex marriage cases
this week, TIME releases two separate covers — “Gay Marriage Already
Won.” — each featuring an intimate portrait of a committed gay couple:
one male, one female.
TIME Managing Editor Rick Stengel writes, “Whatever the Supreme Court
decides, it seems clear that the majority of Americans feel marriage is a
civil right and that denying that right to people because of their
sexual orientation is a violation of equal protection
under the law…. We had a long debate in our offices about this week’s
cover images of two same-sex couples. Some thought they were
sensationalist and too in-your-face. Others felt the images were
beautiful and symbolized the love that is at the heart of the
idea of marriage. I agree with the latter, and I hope you do too.”
See the covers here and attached: http://ti.me/HKI7
In his cover story, TIME’s David Von Drehle reports that recent polls
show that same-sex marriage is now embraced by half or more of all
Americans, with support among young voters running as high as 4 to 1.
He writes, “Yesterday’s impossible now looks like tomorrow’s
inevitable…. What’s most striking about this seismic social shift—as
rapid and unpredictable as any turn in public opinion on record—is that
it happened with very little planning. In fact, there was
a lot of resistance from the top. Neither political party gave a hint
of support before last year, nor was marriage part of the so-called
homosexual agenda so worrisome to social-conservative leaders….
Instead, the impetus has come from disparate forces in
seemingly unconnected realms: courtrooms, yes, but also hospitals,
nurseries, libraries and soundstages. The rise of same-sex marriage from
joke to commonplace is a story of converging strands of history.”
Award-winning photographer Peter Hapak shot the split-run cover
portraits for TIME. Russell Hart and Eric LaBonte are the male couple
featured on the cover; they are legal domestic partners living in LA and
are engaged. Sarah Kate Ellis-Henderson and Kristen
Ellis-Henderson are the female couple; they are legally married in New
York state, and have two children.
Read more about the cover shoot:
http://ti.me/YVxDPqTIME last featured split cover images for the November 12, 2012 issue,
which had three separate covers: one on Hurricane Sandy which ran in the
Northeast U.S., and two different reversible covers on the 2012
election.
Tweet your reactions and photos using #TIMEGayMarriage
People Are Waiting in Line at The Supreme Court
Wanna Go To the Osmond Family Anti Gay Marriage Party?
Thousands around the US will rally and prepare for the Supreme Court’s consideration of marriage cases demanding equality for gay and lesbian Americans, next week – and what do the Osmonds do?? The Osmond family is holding a “pro-family” rally at the Utah Capitol
“benefitting the protection of marriage” from gay and lesbian Americans.
I wonder if Marie Osmond and her lesbian daughter are attending.
OBAMA urges Courts to END California Gay Marriage Ban!
The Obama administration is in the news AGAIN this week!
marriage equality, urging the Supreme Court to rule that voters in
California were not entitled to ban same-sex marriage there, according
to an administration official.
Perry, No. 12-144, and was not required to take a position in it. But
the lawyers who filed the challenge, Theodore B. Olson and David Boies,
along with gay rights groups, lobbied hard for the brief, saying the
administration could not stay silent on the issue.
UPDATE – more details of the brief have come out –
In essence, the position of the federal
government would simultaneously give some support to marriage equality
while showing some respect for the rights of states to regulate that
institution. What the brief endorsed is what has been called the
“eight-state solution” — that is, if a state already recognizes for
same-sex couples all the privileges and benefits that married couples
have (as in the eight states that do so through “civil unions”) those
states must go the final step and allow those couples to get married.
The argument is that it violates the Constitution’s guarantee of legal
equality when both same-sex and opposite-sex couples are entitled to the
same marital benefits, but only the opposite-sex couples can get
married.
The eight states that apparently would be
covered by such a decision are: California (whose Proposition 8, which
denies marriage to couples who already have all of the other marital
benefits, would fall), Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey,
Oregon, and Rhode Island!
PLUS Attorney General Eric Holder released a statement about the filing:
“In our filing today in Hollingsworth v.
Perry, the government seeks to vindicate the defining constitutional
ideal of equal treatment under the law. Throughout history, we have
seen the unjust consequences of decisions and policies rooted in
discrimination. The issues before the Supreme Court in this case and the
Defense of Marriage Act case are not just important to the tens of
thousands Americans who are being denied equal benefits and rights under
our laws, but to our Nation as a whole.”
Apple, Facebook, Intel, and Morgan Stanley. Big Companies Are Backing Gay Marriage
Exclusive: Scores of corporations
will file a Supreme Court brief favoring gay marriage later this week.
Signatories will include Apple, Facebook, Intel, and Morgan Stanley.
American corporations, including Apple,Alcoa, Facebook, eBay, Intel,
and Morgan Stanley will submit an amicus brief in the landmark
Hollingsworth v. Perry case broadly
arguing to the U.S. Supreme Court that laws banning same-sex marriages,
like California’s ballot initiative Proposition 8, are unconstitutional
under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses.
by Fortune, the companies argue that such laws “send an unmistakable signal that same-sex couples are in some way inferior to opposite-sex
couples, a proposition
that is anathema to amici’s commitment to equality and fair treatment
to all.”
to signing the brief as of Tuesday evening, according to Joshua
Rosenkranz, who is counsel of record on the brief and head of the
Supreme Court and appellate litigation
practice at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. That number is expected
to rise by Thursday, however, according to Rosenkranz. Others who have
already committed to sign include AIG, Becton Dickinson, Cisco, Cummins,
Kimpton, Levi Strauss, McGraw Hill, NCR, Nike,
Office Depot, Oracle, Panasonic, Qualcomm, and Xerox.
reference all of the arguments of the main brief challenging the
constitutionality of Prop 8—filed last week by Theodore Olson of Gibson
Dunn & Crutcher and David Boies
of Boies, Schiller & Flexner—it also argues that “recognizing the
rights of same-sex couples to marry is more than a constitutional issue.
It is a business imperative.”
companies argue: “By singling out a group for less favorable treatment,
Proposition 8 impedes businesses from achieving the market’s ideal of
efficient operations—particularly
in recruiting, hiring, and retaining talented people who are in the
best position to operate at their highest capacity. Amici are competing
domestically and internationally with companies inside and outside the
United States in places where all couples, regardless
of whether they are of the same sex, are afforded equal access to
marriage.”
