A batch of local big deal companies—Boeing, Microsoft, Nike, Puget Sound Energy, Real Networks, and Vulcan—have written a letter supporting R-71, the referendum to approve state legislation expanding domestic partnerships.
The statment is below the fold. And as one business insider told me: “Money will follow.”
BUSINESSES TO APPROVE REFERENDUM 71 STATEMENT
We are a group of businesses who stand united together by the commonality
of our companies’ core values, which respect and support employees with
diverse backgrounds. We are committed to supporting our employees and
our customers and to ensuring the health of our communities. Accordingly,
we support the campaign to Approve Referendum 71.
Approving this referendum will preserve Senate Bill 5688, a measure passed
by the Legislature in 2009 to extend to state-registered domestic
partnerships the benefits, obligations and responsibilities that apply to
traditional marriages. The law does not sanction or encourage same-sex
marriage. It simply recognizes that, regardless of their sexual orientation,
people may enter into partnerships and create family units that deserve
respect and equal treatment.
Overturning this law would undo years of equal rights progress made in
Washington state. We do not believe that this step backward would be in the
best interest for the future of our state.
As businesses, we strive to create workplaces where all employees can
develop challenging careers with opportunities for growth, competitive
rewards and a balance between work and home life. In a fast-paced,
competitive environment, this is a shared responsibility between our
companies and our employees. For this reason, our companies have adopted
progressive policies that foster a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Our employees know that they will be treated fairly, without being subject to
prejudice or discrimination.
Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys these same basic protections in other
aspects of their lives. The Legislature took an important step in that direction
by passing SB 5688, and did so without placing any undue burden on the
business environment or imposing excessive taxpayer cost. We believe that
this action was consistent with our corporate principles in treating all
employees with fairness and respect.
We embrace everyone’s fundamental right to be judged on their merits and
contributions rather than factors such as their sexual orientation. Because
rejecting the law would stem progress toward that goal, we urge a vote to
approve Referendum 71.
