Over at latimes.com, they’re reporting that the dishonestly-named “Defense of Marriage” Act has an enemy that may surprise you.
One of the nation’s leading gay-rights advocacy groups, the Human Rights Campaign, has formed a coalition of major companies calling for the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
It’s no surprise, of course, that the HRC in Washington would use its considerable clout to organize big businesses to fight DOMA, the law that excludes recognition of same-sex marriages.
What will be a surprise to many is that one of the first companies to join the effort was Marriott International Inc., which was founded by a devout Mormon, John Willard Marriott.
Granted, they may be more motivated by the potential for an increased consumer base—more marriages mean more honeymoons, and those honeymooners need a place to stay—but still, this is a great sign.
The article goes on to point out that the Marriott website even solicits gay customers with a slogan that reads “We invite you, to be you, with us.”
Of course, Marriott is also “one of the biggest sales engines of liquor” in the US, according to its founder, despite the fact that Mormon Scriptures explicitly forbid the consumption of alcohol. But that’s just church. Business is business.
I like it. It’s crass, hypocritical, and selfish. Joseph Smith would probably be proud (or possibly jealous).
Good. Need more companies coming out for equality.
May surprise you? I find it kinda obvious. They should ask Bed, Bath & Beyond to sponsor them too.
You know, if more people would keep their personal religious beliefs separate from their business, I would be just fine with that. I don’t think it’s inconsistent to say that you believe in living by a certain set of values and that, while you think others should also share those values, they should only do so freely and without coercion.
If this guy wants to abstain from alcohol and coffee (I’m sure those continental breakfasts are just rife with caffeinated sin) I’m OK with that. If he thinks homosexuality is unnatural or improper, whatever. I vehemently disagree, but whatever. If he wants to use his business as a tool to push his subjective personal values on others, that’s the point at which I would have a problem.
I think I would have a lot more common ground with a lot more religious people if they didn’t spend so much time going to such absurd lengths to make people live by an arbitrary and contradictory set of behaviors.
JW may have founded the company but how long ago was that and is he still running it or even alive? I am never surprised to see corporations take a stand on an issue that may be profitable for them and not reflect the personal wishes of management.
I’m sure that many right-wingers must feel VERY hurt now, as they watch certain of their heroes betray them.