Apple donates $100,000 to fight same-sex marriage ban*

Apple is contributing $100,000 to fight Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. The company's announcement today came as the fight over Prop. 8 grows hotly contested, with recent polls showing the race tightening.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said in a statement:

Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees' same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights-- including the right to marry -- should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

Apple becomes the latest prominent Silicon Valley company to speak out against the measure. Google's founders gave $140,000 to the "No on 8" campaign -- $100,000 from Sergey Brin and $40,000 from Larry Page, the San Jose Mercury News reported today. The Internet company, based in Mountain View, Calif., had earlier taken the unusual step of publicly opposing the measure, which would ban same-sex marriage, saying it would have a "chilling and discriminatory effect" on many of its employees.

Some supporters of Prop. 8 have said they would protest businesses that actively oppose the measure unless they make similar donations to ProtectMarriage.com, which is trying to overturn the California Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriages.

"Our campaign is a campaign of the people," Sonja Eddings Brown, deputy communications director on Yes on 8, said today following Apple's announcement. "We knew we would never be able to compete with the large corporations and Hollywood. We represent the families. We are standing up and pushing back with everything we have."

"I respect everyone's views," she said, "and if it's a corporate view, great."

-- Michelle Quinn

Photo: Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs. Credit: Justin Sullivan / Associated Press

* This post has been updated with response from the Yes on 8 campaign.

Comments

[dan]

Apple rocks!

[Vic Arpeggio]

I now feel even better about the MacBook Pro I just bought.

[h.w.]

Thank you for being decent, Apple.

[M. P. Goel]

MARRIAGE is considered as a sacred union of A MAN WITH A WOMAN duly performed as per their Religious Beliefs where such union was considered essential for the continuity of a FAMILY.

Any other relationship like TWO WOMAN OR TWO MAN TOGETHER that may be
approved legally could be specified as LEGAL PARTNERSHIP (LP). This will give
them all rights to property, divorce, alimony etc.

THEN WHY CRIB AND WHY CONSIDER AS MARRIAGE?

[Joe B]

I am profoundly proud of my company even more so now. Go Apple and NO on Prop H8TE!

[Dan]

I'm heterosexual, and I think what Apple and Google have done is awesome. Changing popular views on gay marriages would be the biggest thing since the Civil Rights movement of the '60s.

[Eric J. Weisser]

Thank you Apple!!!

Can Microsoft match it or up the anty?

[Jesse]

Thanks for being decent, indeed.

[P J Evans]

'Some supporters of Prop. 8 have said they would protest businesses that actively oppose the measure unless they make similar donations to ProtectMarriage.com'

I hope Jerry Brown is looking into this, because it sure looks like extortion to me.
---
Go, Apple!
Go, Google!
It's good to see some corporations doing the right thing.

[Mark]

Thank you, Apple, for so clearly and eloquently expressing how I feel on this issue.

[xyz]

it is easy for apple to support this measure because most of their customers are wealthy liberal folks

[Drew]

Dear M.P. Goel -- Thank you for your "OPINION."

On November 4th, we will confirm that yours is the "MINORITY OPINION" by defeating Prop 8.

[Coaster]

What a splendid time to buy my Ipod Touch!

[Michael]

The cave people who are for Prop 8 would never use an apple anyway. They are too cheap to invest in something of real quality.

[Jim H]

I don't know what is difficult for enemies of gay marriage to understand. There are two aspects to marriage. One is the legal,, civil right to marry. This right has historically been denied to oppressed groups, like black slaves. The right to marry, like the right to contract, is a universal human right in democracies. The other aspect to marriage is the religious. A church has every right to say, we will not marry gay couples in the church. But the Church has no right to bar the couple from a civil marriage, and the wedding performed at city hall is legally identical to the one in church.

The Mormon church has contributed millions to this proposition. But they already have the right to refuse to join gay couples. They have no right to interfere in the law.

Anyone who is against this law just doesn't know any gay people.

[josh]

Protecting people's rights is awesome!

[David Warren]

Now it's Disney's turn to step up to the plate. Mr. Iger, your move.

[Bill B, Los Angeles]

I heartily commend Apple for taking a stand against this attempt to limit people’s rights. I am very supportive their statement they oppose hate, bigotry and intolerance in America.

[Tracy]

Hey Goel:

First- marriage is a social and legal contract--that's why you have to get a license to do it (a shame that is not true of propagating as well);

Second--many religious organizations marry gay people;

Third--we have no business legislating the religious activities of others (want me to make a law against putting that fish on your car or joining your extremist fundamental church?)--just because YOUR church thinks one way doesn't mean mine does; and

Last- stay away from my family--your family's values on equality, hate, and respect don't comport with mine!

[Tim]

Good for Apple and Google!

Goel, when you adopt all the unwanted children then you can mumble about continuation of family. Nonsense my man

[grapes]

I take it the Yes on 8 people also believe in stripping heterosexuals of the right to divorce?

Divorce is the single worst thing that can happen to a traditional family.

Lets all campaign to make divorce illegal in order to preserve "marriage between a man and a woman."

[torqueflite]

Apple Computer, you've got my business! Thanks so much to you and to California from someone who married in SF in August. Watch out for ProtectMarriage's extortion letter in the mail to you soon.

[Rusty]

Love Apple. Love free speech. Love Prop 8.

Good for me I don't let my political views keep me away from quality computing products.

[Craig]

"as per their Religious Beliefs?"

What about those marriages performed in a courthouse? Or by Elvis impersonators in Las Vegas? Is that Religious?

[Adam]

I am very upset with Apple. I am for proposition 8, and for the definition that marriage is between a man and woman only as defined in the Holy Bible. Apple should be ashamed of giving $100,000 to stop this, as I am very upset, and may no longer buy Apple products due to this stupid decision by Apple.