A number of leisure business giants, together with Disney, Sony, Comcast NBCUniversal, and Apple, have signed an open letter spearheaded by the Human Rights Marketing campaign (HRC) that expresses assist for codifying LGBTQ+ marriage rights into regulation. Different signatories embrace the likes of Amazon and Google.
The letter — signed by 173 firms — urges the Senate to move the Respect for Marriage Act (recognized formally as H.R. 8404 within the Home and S. 4556 within the Senate) which might repeal the 1996 Protection of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA defines marriage, for federal functions, because the union of 1 man and one girl, and gives states the flexibility to refuse to acknowledge same-sex marriages enacted beneath regulation in different states.
The HRC’s efforts to collect assist for the proposed new invoice comes within the wake of considerations — legitimized by ideas made in Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion within the Dobbs ruling — that the Supreme Court docket, having overturned Roe v. Wade, will subsequent flip its consideration to rolling again different progressive rulings, reminiscent of United States v. Windsor (2013), which invalidated a lot of DOMA and the way it could possibly be enforced.
As The Hollywood Reporter notes, Disney throwing its weight behind requires LGBTQ+ rights protections is notable following extended criticism of the media firm’s response, or slightly lack thereof, to Florida’s “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice earlier this yr. Not solely did the corporate make donations to representatives who supported and handed the invoice, it additionally initially didn’t launch any public statements on the affect the invoice may have within the state that homes The Walt Disney World Resort. As such, this is without doubt one of the first main public stances the corporate has taken in assist of LGBTQ+ rights for the reason that worker walkouts, complaints lodged, and social media callouts from well-known figures that ensued in March.
The letter argues, “Codifying a constant and inclusive federal customary conferred by the Loving, Windsor, and Obergefell rulings will assist to make sure marriage equality, get rid of confusion for employers, and allow us to retain and appeal to expertise. No particular person, together with same-sex {couples} and interracial {couples} protected by this invoice, ought to worry their marriage won’t be acknowledged by the federal authorities or their employment advantages threatened.”
You possibly can learn the complete letter and see the whole listing of signatories right here.
