More Corporate Support For Equality Act

From the Human Rights Campaign:

Four new major American companies have become the latest to endorse the Equality Act, federal legislation that would establish full, federal equality for all LGBT Americans. In doing so, these leading companies - IBM, Oracle, Orbitz, and Symantec - made clear that they believe all LGBT Americans should have the protections from discrimination in federal law that they deserve. They join American Airlines, Apple, The Dow Chemical Company, Facebook, General Mills, Google, Levi Strauss & Co., Microsoft, and Nike as part of a national business coalition supporting comprehensive, federal LGBT non-discrimination protections. Additionally, Hewlett-Packard in Fortune recently announced its support for the Equality Act.

STATEMENT BY IBM: “IBM’s workplace culture is built on the principles of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all. We established a corporate policy on equal opportunity more than a decade before the Civil Rights Act. We championed an industry-leading policy of non-discrimination based on sexual orientation over 30 years ago, and expanded it in 2002 to cover gender identity and expression. IBM is proud to support the Equality Act and maintains our steadfast support for all employees to experience equality in the workplace."

STATEMENT BY ORBITZ: “At Orbitz we’ve been advocates of equality and inclusion since our founding in 2001. Our support for the Equality Act is consistent with our other actions, such as signing the amicus brief calling on the Supreme Court to find gay marriage bans unconstitutional.”

STATEMENT BY SYMANTEC: “At Symantec, we are proud to support full and equal rights for the LGBT community. We believe having a diversity of perspectives ensures we make better business decisions and the products and services we offer meet the needs of the broad spectrum of people we serve worldwide, which is why we couldn’t be more proud to support the expansion of legal protections. We unequivocally support the Equality Act – for the future of our business and society.”

As I've mentioned before, the Equality Act will see little traction in the current GOP-dominated Congress, but this early groundwork is critical to what most consider to be the "heaviest lift" in our movement's history.

More Corporate Support For Equality Act

Via press release from the HRC:

Today, just days after the introduction of the historic Equality Act in Congress, five new major American companies announced their support for comprehensive, federal LGBT non-discrimination protections. Each of these new leading corporations -- American Airlines, Facebook, General Mills, Google and Nike demonstrated their belief that all LGBT Americans should have the protections from discrimination in federal law that they deserve. These companies join Apple, The Dow Chemical Company, and Levi Strauss, & Co. in supporting comprehensive federal LGBT non-discrimination legislation.

STATEMENT BY AMERICAN AIRLINES -- "We at American Airlines are proud of our long history of supporting LGBT equality. Now is the time for full equality for the LGBT community in the United States. Ensuring fairness in our workplaces and communities is both the right thing to do and simply good business."

STATEMENT BY FACEBOOK -- "We are open and vocal supporters of equality. Ensuring fairness in the workplace is a fundamental principle at Facebook and we support legal protections for LGBT Americans as outlined in the Equality Act."

STATEMENT BY GENERAL MILLS -- "At General Mills we have a long history of supporting LGBT equality and the time has come in this country for full, federal equality for the LGBT community. Ensuring fairness in our workplaces and communities is both the right thing to do and simply good business."

STATEMENT BY GOOGLE -- "Diverse perspectives, ideas, and cultures lead to the creation of better products and services and ideas. And it's the right thing to do. That's why we support protections for LGBT individuals as outlined in the Equality Act."

STATEMENT BY NIKE – "At NIKE, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, and we strive to treat our employees equally. We believe that diversity drives innovation and allows us to attract and retain world class talent. We need fair and equitable laws that prevent discrimination, and NIKE supports the Equality Act introduced by Senator Merkley and his colleagues in Congress. This is another important step in the fight for equality."

While few expect the Equality Act to get much traction in the current Congress, this sort of groundwork is critical. It's going to be a very long haul.

Uber Wins Battle Against NYC

Via USA Today:

A proposed cap on Uber and other for-hire vehicles in New York City has been put on ice after the $40 billion start-up agreed to "not flood the streets" until questions about the impact of its growth on traffic can be determined. A bill to limit Uber and other for-hire taxis had been slated to go to a vote before the New York City Council on Thursday. The cap was to limit Uber and other for-hire vehicles until city officials could study their impact on the city's already clogged streets. In March, the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) reported that the number of Uber cars in NYC had outpaced yellow taxis for the first time. At the time, there were There are 14,088 cars, including luxury SUVs, affiliated with Uber in the city's five boroughs, compared with 13,587 yellow cabs, TLC said. That raised concerns about congestion, pollution and street parking.

Major Corporations Back Equality Act

Today the Equality Act, a comprehensive federal LGBT rights bill, will be introduced in Congress. The Human Rights Campaign has already brought three major corporations on board. Via press release:

STATEMENT BY APPLE – “At Apple we believe in equal treatment for everyone, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, how they worship or who they love. We fully support the expansion of legal protections as a matter of basic human dignity.”

STATEMENT BY THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY – “Dow applauds the introduction of the Equality Act and continues to support a comprehensive federal framework that ensures fairness and opportunity for everyone. Full inclusion of our LGBT colleagues and citizens is quite simply the right thing to do – for business and for society.”

STATEMENT BY LEVI STRAUSS & CO. – “Levi Strauss & Co. is proud to support the Equality Act. We have a long history of supporting LGBT equality, and the time has come in this country for full, federal equality for the LGBT community. Ensuring fairness in our workplaces and communities is both the right thing to do and simply good business.”

Each of the three major companies scored a perfect 100 on HRC’s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a nationally recognized benchmark of LGBT inclusion in the workplace, and were recognized on HRC’s list of Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality in 2015.

“These remarkable companies have proven once again their tremendous leadership on behalf of LGBT Americans,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Time and again, these leaders of Corporate America have asked 'what more can we do?,' and each time they’ve stepped up to the plate and delivered. As the fight for full, federal equality enters a new chapter, I am tremendously thankful that we have these champions standing shoulder to shoulder with us.”

Yesterday winning Prop 8 attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies also endorsed the bill. Most believe that the Equality Act will see little traction in either GOP-dominated chamber.

eBay Spins Off PayPal

PayPal is an independent company once again.

At $46.6 billion, PayPal would have a greater market capitalization than that of eBay, whose value will shrink to around $34 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. PayPal will begin trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker “PYPL,” returning to its roots under the same ticker it had before it was acquired by eBay in 2002. It’s a sure sign that investors are seeing growth potential in PayPal, a company that boasted 169 million users and processed $1.1 billion in payments in the second quarter, with transaction volume up 27% over the prior year, the company said recently. The increasing shift for shoppers toward payment channels such as mobile devices, as detailed in a PWC retail report, creates a prime environment for PayPal to thrive in.

PayPal launched in 1998 as Confinity and helped make homocon Peter Thiel a billionaire.

Another Money Beg For Oregon Bakers

First there was the GoFundMe drive, which generated $110K before it was pulled due to rules about raising money for those accused of breaking the law. Per the rules at that time, it appeared that the Kleins could keep what had been raised. Then Franklin Graham stepped in with Samaritan's Purse, a site that does not disclose amounts. And launched last night was a money beg on Continue To Give, "a faith-based giving platform." So far about $30K has been raised at Continue To Give.

OREGON: Final Ruling Says Anti-Gay Bakers Must Pay $135K To Gay Couple

Via Oregon Live:

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian on Thursday ordered the owners of a former Gresham bakery to pay $135,000 in damages to a lesbian couple for refusing to make them a wedding cake. Avakian's ruling upheld a preliminary finding earlier this year that the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa had discriminated against the women on the basis of their sexual orientation.

Bakery owners Melissa and Aaron Klein cited their Christian beliefs against same-sex marriage in denying service. The case ignited a long-running skirmish in the nation's culture wars, pitting civil rights advocates against religious freedom proponents who argued business owners should have the right to refuse services for gay and lesbian weddings.

Avakian's final order makes clear that serving potential customers equally trumps the Kleins' religious beliefs. Under Oregon law, businesses cannot discriminate or refuse service based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot turn customers away because of race, sex, disability, age or religion, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries said in a news release.

The Klein's say they will appeal. But they'll likely never have to pay a penny due to a GoFundMe-style campaign launched by Franklin Graham.

Big Business Celebrates Marriage

AUSTRALIA: Catholic Church Pressures Businesses To Back Off Marriage Support

The Archdiocese Of Sydney is ever so pissed at the 150+  Australian corporations that have placed a joint newspaper campaign in support of same-sex marriage.

The Catholic Church in Sydney is sending letters to companies that publicly support same-sex marriage, expressing its "grave concern" about their stance. The ABC has seen a copy of one letter addressed to the chairman of partners at Maurice Blackburn law firm, Steve Walsh, from the Archdiocese's business manager Michael Digges. "It is... with grave concern that I write to you about the Marriage Equality for Australians campaign," it reads. "You are publically supporting a strategic, political and well-funded campaign designed to pressure the Federal Government into changing the Marriage Act. For corporations to speak on such issues... is indeed overstepping their purpose and it is to be strongly resisted." Maurice Blackburn principal Liberty Sanger said she was not sure what the intention of the letter was, but either way the law firm would not be intimidated.

The letters contain veiled threats to boycott LGBT-supportive businesses, warning them that the church is a "significant user of goods and services."

Pride Flag Flies Over Starbucks HQ

This is a first for our longtime allies. Via press release: "Today a 38-feet wide by 19-feet tall rainbow flag was raised on top of Starbucks headquarters and will remain through this weekend’s Seattle Pride Parade. Given our public stance on diversity and inclusion of all people, particularly on this issue, it makes sense to raise the flag in celebration. Being open, inclusive and forward-thinking is at the core of what Starbucks is about."

RELATED: Read their story about trans employees.

Walmart: No More Confederate Flags

Oreo Celebrates Gay Pride

You may recall that a boycott campaign was launched against Oreo in 2012 after the brand tweeted out an image of a rainbow version of the cookie. Oreo is made by the Nabisco division of Mondelez International, which has also supported LGBT rights with a series of beautiful Honey Maid commercials. Mondelez is ranked at #91 on the Fortune 500 with 2014 sales of $4B. Its other brands include Cadbury, Gevalia, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Trident, and Triscuit.

INDIA: Fashion Ad Stars Lesbian Couple

Ad Week reports:

An Indian clothing company is out with an ad that news reports are billing as the socially conservative country's first to feature a lesbian couple. Anouk and Ogilvy & Mather Bangalore created the spot, in which the couple get ready to meet—and, the ad suggests, come out to—the parents of one of the women. Three and a half minutes long, the spot aims for a casual tone, showing the women in their apartment, putting on makeup and chatting about clothing, hairstyles and their relationship. The tagline, "Bold is beautiful," risks conflating putting on a bright-colored dress with being open about one's sexuality in a highly hostile environment. But the brand deserves credit for aligning itself with a progressive message—the ad seems to be mainly garnering support on YouTube (where it has more than 1.6 million views), even if the spirit of it is lost on the obligatory bigots yelling in all caps in the comments section of articles.

Two years ago the Indian Supreme Court reinstated the criminalization of homosexuality.

Google Launches Pro-Trans Business Ad

Ad Week reports:

Transgender issues have been front-page news all summer, though brands have clearly had a hard time knowing what their role should be in the conversation. But now Google—one of the world's most powerfully visible corporate LGBT advocates—is out with a new spot for Pride Month that tells the deeply poignant story of a transgender man and the small business that helped him during his transition. The first half of the spot below focuses on Jake, who was born female but identified as male from a young age. The second half introduces City Gym in Kansas City, Mo., which has given Jake a place where he can feel comfortable getting to know his changing body and find support for him and his friends. The spot, by Venables Bell & Partners, is wonderfully made. The story is skillfully and evocatively told, and never feels exploitative.

227K views already.

COURT: Uber Drivers Are Employees

Via USA Today:

In a ruling that could significantly raise costs for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, the California Labor Commission ruled this week that a driver who filed a complaint against Uber Technologies was an employee, not an independent contractor. The driver, Barbara Berwick, was awarded a mere $4,152 — chump change for Uber. But the technology giant is appealing the ruling because it could significantly increase the $40 billion startup's costs.  Uber currently saddles its drivers with major vehicle costs — including the vehicle itself, maintenance, insurance and gas — by labeling its drivers independent contractors rather than employees. If Uber is forced to treat drivers as employees, it could bear a greater share of those costs, which will eat into its profits.  Uber has consistently held its global fleet of drivers at arms length by claiming it is merely matching drivers with riders. But the California Labor Commission this week said Uber also maintains a good deal of control over its drivers, which makes it more of an employer than "a neutral technological platform, designed simply to enable drivers and passengers to transact the business of transportation."

Uber plans to appeal the ruling, which they say is "non-binding and only applies to one driver."

HRC To Corporations: Keep Domestic Partnerships After Same-Sex Marriage Becomes Legal Nationwide

Via press release from the Human Rights Campaign:

HRC research shows that two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partner benefits to employees with same-sex partners. And 62 percent of those companies also make domestic partner benefits available to employees with opposite-sex partners.

Companies that move to eliminate domestic partner benefits, and instead require legal marriage to ensure partner and family benefits, will be putting their employees’ family members -- including both same-sex and opposite-sex partners -- at risk of being uninsured. And they would also put scores of LGBT employees and their families who live in states without full non-discrimination protections at risk for discrimination in employment, credit, housing, and public accommodation.

“If an LGBT employee is, in effect, ‘outed’ by being required to obtain a public marriage license in a state that doesn’t provide explicit non-discrimination protections, it could place that employee and their family at risk of being denied credit, housing and public accommodation,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “These core elements of daily life could be compromised for LGBT families, even in states that might honor their marriage license.”

Last month the Wall Street Journal reported that some major corporations including Verizon and Delta Airlines are already phasing out unmarried same-sex partner benefits in states where same-sex marriage is legal.

Chobani Yogurt Ad Stars Lesbian Couple

The wingnuts are really gonna hate this one. After all, this lesbian couple (GASP) is in bed together. Gawker hates the ad for (mostly) culinary reasons:

Bad yogurt company Chobani, whose product is to “Greek yogurt” what fermented urine is to champagne, has stooped to an outrageous, sexy new low in trying to distract the public from the taste of its pasty goo. It is plain as day to see that Chobani, desperate to align itself with any image other than “maker of America’s worst cow-related product,” has plunged directly to the bottom of the barrel, enlisting hot naked lesbians lounging around in their birthday suits in a last-gasp effort to make you, the easily seduced consumer, believe that bad yogurt is “sexy.” While it is true that Chobani yogurt appears to have the taste and consistency of semen, explicitly trying to associate the two substances is a dubious marketing strategy.

Fisher-Price Backs LGBT Families

Via press release:

Fisher-Price® and Proud Parenting today announced the launch of the Proud Parenting LGBT Family Photo Gallery, presented by Fisher-Price®. The goal of the program is to increase the visibility of LGBT parents and to encourage interaction and support between LGBT parents, their friends and their allies.

The Proud Parenting LGBT Family Photo Gallery is a curated photo collection of LGBT parents with their families. It provides an authentic look into the proud lives of these modern families. New families will be featured throughout the summer across the Proud Parenting digital media outlets and will be promoted by Gay Ad Network on LGBT websites, social media and mobile apps.

"We are thrilled to partner with Proud Parenting for its first-ever program to increase the visibility of LBGT families," said Hailey Sullivan, Director of Marketing, Fisher-Price. "Fisher-Price is proud to help all parents give their children the best possible start in life." "We are excited to partner with Fisher-Price on the Proud Parenting LGBT Family Photo Gallery," said Jeff Bennett, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Proud Parenting. "With a long-standing history of diversity and inclusiveness, they are now leading the way for a new generation of families."

Follow the campaign on Instagram and Facebook. Memo to Franklin Graham and Brian Brown: Fisher-Price is owned by Mattel, a Fortune 500 company which grossed $6.5B in 2014. Other Mattel brands include Barbie, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and American Girl.

AUSTRALIA: Corporate Support For Gay Marriage Triples In New Full-Page Ad

Two weeks ago 53 corporations advertised their support for same-sex marriage in a full-page message that ran in major Australian newspapers. Today that number triples to 154 in the above message running in News Corp outlets owned by Rupert Murdoch. Among the companies joining in are McDonald's, Levis, Mastercard, Google, Twitter, H&M, Virgin, and Qantas.

Franklin Graham: About My New Gay Bank

"It is true that a local BB&T branch in the Miami area hosted a fundraiser for a program called Legacy Couples, which recognizes same-sex couples who have been in committed relationships for 10 years or more, but the bank did not promote this program through a national advertising campaign (or we would still be looking for another bank). I think there is a difference between being friendly and being a public advocate. By staying at Wells Fargo, we would not only be associating with the promotion of a lifestyle we believe to be wrong, we also would actually be helping to pay for the advertisements by virtue of banking with them — because a bank has no money to advertise with other than the money its customers place in its trust and the interest earned on that money. We simply chose not to continue doing business with a bank that is promoting something that violates our conscience and beliefs." - Franklin Graham, writing for USA Today.