Conservative social and political groups are vowing to fight the recent California ruling in which a republican-dominated court declared that sexual preference should not bar couples from legal marriage. In an Associated Press article, the court opinion is quoted as stating that "domestic partnerships that provide many of the rights and benefits of matrimony are not enough."
In pursuance of equal footing, gay, lesbian, and bisexual investors have been seeking and "outing" corporations with gay-friendly policies and have been backing those companies in a show of financial clout. An example of the application of this forward social dynamic would be Trillium Asset Management, which has at least once scored a "perfect 10" on the Gay and Lesbian Values Index (glvindex). With an investment focus called Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), this company seeks to provide investment returns in keeping with industry standards, while at the same time maintaining "unique focus on social research and advocacy."
Corporations that have taken careful strides to bring their standards up to date with regard to societal equality appear to be gaining in popularity with gay and gay-friendly investors, as evidenced by their placement on and recognition of the glvindex. SC Johnson acknowledged it's high ranking on the glvindex in a company press release that stated in part: "To us, diversity is about building the best, most talented workforce that mirrors the marketplace, and motivating them with an environment that enables people to be themselves and contribute freely and effectively."
Some other big names have gained recognition as gay-friendly corporations, including Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) and IBM (NYSE: IBM). These companies, and dozens of others like them, have chosen to adopt policies that recognize the realities of social diversity. While the majority of these companies are not outwardly expressive of their atmosphere of tolerance, they nonetheless have brought their standards up to date. A comprehensive list of America's top 100 gay and lesbian friendly corporations can be found at WorldNetDaily.com.
It's a new world out there, and same-sex couples are demanding to have their equal part of it. Whether you like it or not, homosexuality is a powerful reality of our world. Gays, lesbians and bisexually oriented people are here to stay, and they want you to know that this is their world too. Now, let's all just get over it and let's move on, shall we?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-17-2008 @ 11:39AM
David said...
Well, you got it right at the endo of your article, but at the top, the part most people read, you've used the term "sexual preference." That term is very outdated, implies choice and so happens to be completely OPPOSITE what the California Supreme Court referenced in their decision this week of allowing equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian persons. The correct representation is "sexual orientation." And yes, the difference between the two phrases is huge. Please get it right when writing for the masses. DMH
5-17-2008 @ 11:52AM
Gary E. Sattler said...
So David,
Are you saying that when I decided as a young man that I would "orient" myself hetrosexually rather than homosexually, I was wrong then too?
Yes, I made that choice. I now "prefer" sexual relations with a woman over sexual relations with a man. I could have gone the other way but didn't. That was my choice.
You need to take some time deeply considering your level of tolerance bud.
5-17-2008 @ 12:17PM
Adam said...
The link you reference is for an outdated list. That covers the 2005 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index (CEI).
The 2008 CEI includes 195 Corporations that rate 100%, and can be found here: http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/cei.htm
5-17-2008 @ 12:28PM
Gary E. Sattler said...
Thanks Adam!
Keep 'em coming.
5-17-2008 @ 2:44PM
Terry said...
Gary,
You are correct. It is a new world out there that requires tolerance of differences. Gay men and women should have all the equal rights of a marriage. Why not, we pay taxes, we have jobs, we adopt children to form our families, we have circles of friends and neighbors. We are an integral part of our community and only want to be on equal footing.
5-18-2008 @ 11:17PM
mat h said...
as a society we have a right to base ourselves on biblical morality and except for this issue we have.
We have banned murder, theft adultery etc...
The vsame Source tells us that "gay" ie homosexual beavior is wrong and against His laws.
We have an obligation to our Creator to make His laws our laws too---so it is perfectly right to prhibt gay behavior including "marriage",
Gays should still be treated with compassion, and offered free therapy to help them overcome their problem0-00and if they decline that they should be left alone if they behave that way in private.
But public acceptance in marriage and other forms of behavior is wrong and straight society has a right to publicly diapprove of it!
5-19-2008 @ 12:01AM
Gary E. Sattler said...
From the author, a response for commenter "mat h"
If you wish to address homosexuality in biblical or Christian terms, then all I can say is this:
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
And the words of our Lord:
"He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone..." John 8:7
Mat, you and many people like you need to understand that homosexuality should not be viewed in terms of morality, especially not religious morality. If you think that same sex inclinations are wrong, that's okay (for you) but that doesn't mean those people have a "problem".
If, as you wrote, "We have an obligation to our Creator to make His laws our laws too..." then I simply must remind you that Jesus said;
"...everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty... and whoever shall say "You fool" shall be guilty..." Matthew 5:22
Think about your faith and what it requests of you before you attempt to drop God upon other people and the ways they live their own lives.
Remember, on that last day when our Lord Jesus returns and calls for justification of accounts, you and I shall be measured upon the scales which we have used to measure other people.
Give yourself a break, leave the judgments to God.
7-03-2008 @ 10:50PM
Scott and John said...
We are Scott and John, a married gay couple who are very much in love! I can not beleive how ignorant some of these comments are! Im going to use one of the comments above for refference and respond to that. Also check out our website http://www.twoheartsforlife.com you will find a lot of educational stuff there, this person needs it.
They say:as a society we have a right to base ourselves on biblical morality and except for this issue we have.
We say: we have a right to freedom of and from religion!
They say:The same Source tells us that "gay" ie homosexual beavior is wrong and against His laws.
We say:It also says you should not judge! It never said anything in the Bible about same sex marriage that it was wrong! David a man after God's own heart had a gay lover! Read it it's there and many others. what does it mean his love for him was beyond that of a woman stating Johnathan.
They say:We have an obligation to our Creator to make His laws our laws too---so it is perfectly right to prhibt gay behavior including "marriage",
This one pissed me off! We say: you have a obligation? To force unwanted laws? You have a right to tell another free american that he or she does not have a right to do something? You have the right to prohibit gay behavior! Including marriage! What the f*** does that mean? Are you saying they need to put us in jail or kill us. One famos preacher said we should all die! Are you saying this? MURDER is wrong! Judging is wrong! It's funny how people like you want to nitpick and harp on one thing! Make it law to ban gay behavior and marriage, please! I dont see you out there trying to ban alcohol! The Bible makes it clear on drinking! Make that a law! Stop wasting millions of $ to ban same sex marriage and spend it to do some good! Like bring the gas prices down, feed and clothe hungry children! If you don't like same sex marriage then DON'T MARRY SOMEONE OF THE SAME SEX! It's that simple! Being gay is wrong hu? What about divorce? The US has the highest divorce rate in the world! Straight people CHEAT, LIE, AND KILL. SO DON'T SIT THERE AND TELL ME ABOUT THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE. 80% OF THESE PEOPLE SAYING THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE USE THE BIBLE! BUT THEY DON'T GO TO CHURCH, ARE NOT SAVED, DON'T EVEN READ IT!
They say:Gays should still be treated with compassion, and offered free therapy to help them overcome their problem0-00and if they decline that they should be left alone if they behave that way in private.
I hate it when people call us GAYS. and yes we should be treated with compassion & respect too! And What? Offered free therapy to help us over come our WHAT?! Problem? You are sick! I don't coose to be gay just like you don't choose to be straight! Our love fro each other is NOT a problem!
That's the whole thing we want "To be left alone" Mind your business! And before I go straight people do a lot of sick things sexually! Remember that!
Last thing- They say:But public acceptance in marriage and other forms of behavior is wrong and straight society has a right to publicly diapprove of it!
We say:Who says YOU? and what other forms of behavior are you reffering to? Look at straight people. I never turn on CNN and see a gay person rapeing some child then chopping them up and burying them under the door steps at their neghbors house! Straight sociaty has NO RIGHT to promote HATE. That is not a family value. And they don't have a right to publicly do anything that is none of their business. Our relationship is private just like yours is. You have no right to tell another free American you are going to denigh them rights! We are told we need to marry opposite sex partners....why to be unhappy? We have no right to love and be loved? We have no right to protct ourselves? Please! We are here and we are not leaving! Get over it.
8-14-2008 @ 2:18AM
Larry said...
"It also says you should not judge! It never said anything in the Bible about same sex marriage that it was wrong! David a man after God's own heart had a gay lover! Read it it's there and many others. what does it mean his love for him was beyond that of a woman stating Johnathan."
WHAT! I'm not sure which bible you read, cause it isn't the real one. For one thing real love is NOT SEX. Man can love another man with all his heart and not be gay. Please don't try to interpret God's word.
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (NKJ, Leviticus 18:22)
If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. (NKJ, Leviticus 20:13)
God does not change his mind and he never will.
And as for: "He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone..." John 8:7"
He also followed up with "Go and sin no more". Please don't leave stuff out that is pertinent to the statement.
"...everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty... and whoever shall say "You fool" shall be guilty..." Matthew 5:22"
That only applies to our christian brothers, not every person on the earth. And in those days "Fool" meant someone who does not believe in God or "vile, or worthless fellow," atheist: I would have never been obligated to called Hitler my brother, unless he changed and gave his life to christ.
You know what i'm tired of, People saying we hate homosexuals. True, there may be ignorant people that call themselves christians, that hate you, that would like nothing better than to whale on you for awhile. But those people are NOT real christians.
We don't hate you, we only hate the sin. we even hate the sin in our own lives. We are not perfect. We are all sinners (as stated above) but we strive not to be. We will never get there, but we will die trying. "Die out to your flesh daily".
And every thing we do in life is a choice weather you want to see it or not. I choose to live for God or I choose not to. I choose what I eat, what I say, what close I wear...ect. You do nothing without consciensly choosing to do so.
As far as Judging, I can't stand when people throw that in our face as if it was the end all beat all shut christians up. We can see sin trying to take over every aspect of our society, do you expect us to sit on our bibles and do nothing. We will stand against sin and sinners until they start killing us in the streets and putting us in prison for loving God and doing his will, and even after. If you think it's not going to be like that, read the last book in the bible.
In short, if you wanna be gay, fine, we'll leave you to it. But don't try to pass it off or make the world think that it's ok, right, or natural. God aside, it's a complete reversal of how nature intended.