Nike and Intel join list of Oregon businesses pushing for same-sex marriage
Sportswear giant Nike and technology multinational Intel are among a few dozen businesses to throw their weight behind a campaign to legalise same-sex marriage in Oregon.
The companies joined 34 others in filing an amicus brief on Tuesday, arguing that barring same-sex couples in the state of Oregon is unfair and harmful to those couples and their families.
The brief read that marriage defined as specifically between one man and one woman “is flatly inconsistent with Amici’s values and corporate principles, which appropriately recognize that marriage equality is the right thing to do, both morally and legally.”
According to the companies, the state’s same-sex marriage ban “causes very real harm to Oreogn businesses … Oregon businesses must attract and retain the best employee talent to compete effectively in a national and global economy.”
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum in February made the announcement that she would not defend the same-sex marriage ban, as she argued that it would not stand up against a federal constitutional challenge.
The 36 businesses which signed the brief are available in the order they appeared, below.
Nike Inc.
NW Natural
Portland General Electric Co.
Weinstein PR
Morel Ink
Gerding Edlen
Oregon Business Association
HM3 Energy Inc.
Intel Corp.
Oregon State University
Portland Timbers
Tonkon Torp
Portland State University
PECI
Northwest Evaluation Association
Christopher David Experience Design
Autodesk Inc.
Standard Insurance Co.
Oregon Health & Science University
Columbia Sportswear Co.
Powell’s Books
Medford Fabrication
Russell Development Co.
Torpet LLC
The Portland Business Alliance
Portland Public Schools
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc.
Salesforce.com Inc.
Gard Communications
Celilo Group Media Inc.
Starbucks Coffee Co.
Moda Health
EDJE Consulting
University of Oregon
Jubitz Family Foundation
