Major Corporations Challenge Defense of Marriage Act in Court

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) has been facing challenges in various parts of the country, with a key case currently underway in Massachusetts. Seventy major corporations, including Microsoft, Starbucks, and Google, have signed a friend-of-the-court brief arguing that DOMA should be struck down due to difficulties in assessing taxes for homosexual employees in states where same-sex marriage is legal. The companies claim that DOMA hampers their ability to recruit homosexual employees, as the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages. Meanwhile, two corporations, Bank of America and Cisco, have pledged not to discriminate against employees or vendors who publicly support marriage, following a campaign by the National Organization for Marriage's Corporate Fairness Project.

Key Takeaways:

• Seventy major corporations, including Microsoft, Starbucks, and Google, have signed a friend-of-the-court brief challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in a case taking place in Massachusetts.
• The companies claim that DOMA hampers their ability to recruit homosexual employees, as the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages.
• Two corporations, Bank of America and Cisco, have pledged not to discriminate against employees or vendors who publicly support marriage.
• The National Organization for Marriage's Corporate Fairness Project contacted Bank of America and Cisco about canceling contracts with The Austin Group, a Christian organization that trains corporate teams and publicly speaks out against same-sex marriage.
• Over 1,400 Bank of America customers called the corporate complaint line asking the board of directors to stop discriminating against people who voice their views on marriage.
• Cisco wrote in a letter to the National Organization for Marriage that it does not discriminate against vendors or employees who support traditional marriage.

Statistics:

• 70 major corporations have signed a friend-of-the-court brief challenging the Defense of Marriage Act.
• 2 corporations, Bank of America and Cisco, havepledged not to discriminate against employees or vendors who publicly support marriage.
• Over 1,400 Bank of America customers called the corporate complaint line about the company's discrimination against employees who support traditional marriage.
• Cisco's letter to the National Organization for Marriage stated that the company does not discriminate against vendors or employees who support traditional marriage.

Sources:

• CitizenLink (a Focus on the Family Affiliate)
• Karla Dial, "70 Major Corporations Challenge Defense of Marriage Act"
• Peter Sprigg, Family Research Council
• National Organization for Marriage, Corporate Fairness Project
• The Austin Group
• Bank of America
• Cisco Corporation