HRC - Business Coalition Launches in Support of Respect for Marriage Act

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FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2013
Kevin Nix 

Business Coalition Launches in Support ofRespect for Marriage Act

Marriott, eBay, Thomson Reuters back treatingall married couples equally
WASHINGTON - The Human RightsCampaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civilrights organization, announced today the formation of a business coalition madeup of Fortune 500 and brand name companies that support ending federaldiscrimination against legally married gay and lesbian couples.

Currently,because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), lawfully married same-sexcouples are not recognized by the federal government and are thereby deniedmore than 1,100 federal rights and benefits – including filing taxes jointly,taking unpaid leave to care for a sick spouse, and Social Security survivorbenefits – that come with marriage.

The newBusiness Coalition for DOMA Repeal is throwing its support behind the Respectfor Marriage Act, which repeals DOMA and recognizes all legal marriages forfederal purposes. The Respect for Marriage Act has attracted bipartisansupport. Republican Reps.  Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Richard Hanna(R-NY), and Charles Bass (R-NH) were among those supporting the bill in thelast Congress.  Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)have sponsored the legislation in the House and Senate, and are likely toreintroduce it in the current Congress next month.

"Marriottwas founded on the principle of putting its people first, and that includes ourLGBT associates," said David Rodriguez, executive vice president and chiefhuman resources officer at Marriott International. "We are proud of our longstandingcommitment to diversity, inclusion and equal treatment of all our employeeswithin our benefits programs. Joining the Business Coalition for DOMA Repealaffirms that commitment, and we urge Congress to pass this importantlegislation."

JoiningMarriott as members of the Business Coalition for DOMA Repeal are: A|X ArmaniExchange, Aetna Inc., Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Diageo North America,eBay Inc., Electronic Arts, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC,Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Replacements, Ltd., Sun LifeFinancial U.S., and Thomson Reuters.  Aside from being fundamentallyunfair to married same-sex couples, DOMA also causes administrative headachesand tax inequities for companies as they simply try to treat their employees fairly.The coalition continues to grow as more companies take a stand and affirm thatDOMA is bad for business.

"We'reproud to join the HRC and our coalition partners in supporting this importantinitiative that reflects Thomson Reuters’ own principles and policies ondiversity, inclusion, fairness and equality," said Patsy Doerr, GlobalHead of Diversity & Inclusion at Thomson Reuters.

Gay andlesbian couples can lawfully marry in nine states and the District of Columbia,and polls show strong majorities of Americans favor treating gay and lesbiancouples fairly and equally.

"Thesecorporate pioneers understand one marriage deserves no less respect and dignitythan any other marriage," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "Theyunderstand that repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act is theright thing for our nation, and the smart thing for American business.  Wecall on both large and small businesses to add their voices to the growingchorus calling for an end to this odious law."
Companiesinterested in joining the coalition can sign-up here. 

TheHuman Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual andtransgender political organization with members throughout the country. Iteffectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the publicto ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work andin the community.
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