A number of leisure trade giants, together with Disney, Sony, Comcast NBCUniversal, and Apple, have signed an open letter spearheaded by the Human Rights Marketing campaign (HRC) that expresses help for codifying LGBTQ+ marriage rights into regulation. Different signatories embrace the likes of Amazon and Google.
The letter — signed by 173 corporations — urges the Senate to cross the Respect for Marriage Act (identified 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 power to refuse to acknowledge same-sex marriages enacted underneath regulation in different states.
The HRC’s efforts to collect help for the proposed new invoice comes within the wake of issues — legitimized by options made in Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion within the Dobbs ruling — that the Supreme Courtroom, having overturned Roe v. Wade, will subsequent flip its consideration to rolling again different progressive rulings, equivalent to United States v. Windsor (2013), which invalidated a lot of DOMA and the way it might 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 reasonably 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 influence the invoice may have within the state that homes The Walt Disney World Resort. As such, this is among the first main public stances the corporate has taken in help of LGBTQ+ rights because the 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 commonplace conferred by the Loving, Windsor, and Obergefell rulings will assist to make sure marriage equality, eradicate confusion for employers, and allow us to retain and entice expertise. No particular person, together with same-sex {couples} and interracial {couples} protected by this invoice, ought to concern their marriage is not going to be acknowledged by the federal authorities or their employment advantages threatened.”
You’ll be able to learn the total letter and see the entire listing of signatories right here.
Supply: Women And Hollywood
