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

[Dude]

I have had Macs since 1984, and all of Apple's other quality products. Some of the comments above erroneously try to show all Apple and Mac people as liberal, and Proposition 8 supporters as too cheap to invest in quality. Come on - I don't appreciate being pigeon-holed for my beliefs.

I am extremely disappointed in Apple and Google for siding against traditional marriage. This Proposition 8 does NOT effect their company policies. This is NOT a civil rights issue. THIS IS A MORAL ISSUE!

[mike]

Definitions evolve over time. Of course, as far back as I can remember marriage meant people who love one another making a commitment together. Of course before that marriage meant a contract through offspring for two families to join their wealth together. Maybe we should make it mandatory to give dowries?

People who tout terms like "legal partnerships" or "civil unions" should remember how hypocritical the term "separate but equal" was. I pity the Californians who would bring up this proposition in the first place. Way to waste our tax dollars fighting to go BACK a step? What's next? Reinstitute segregation? Witch burning? I rather my tax dollars be used to move our civilization FORWARD.

For all the "tsk tsk" most of us make when looking at how people are oppressed at other parts of the world, some of us don't seem to realize the world is looking back, and laughing. To people like h.w., keep your hate and fear to yourself, just don't embarrass the rest of us with your medieval outlook.

[Aina]

so because they love each other, they should be able OR have the right to marry? which means, if a girl loves her father/uncle/brother/cousin they can marry also? or vice versa? sooner or later, animals will want that right...it wasn't right back then, it's not right now

[Thank you!]

Thanks Apple. I am tired of people claiming to be "good people" fighting for something so discriminatory and wrong. Let's LOVE one another, not hate.
...and I mean that in a mature, emotional way (not sexual for those who think homosexuality is strictly about sex.)

[SeaMex]

Great move Apple. Thank You.
No on prop 8.
Equal Rights are for ALL.

[David]

M. P. Goel - Separate but equal, right?

We are in the 21st century now. Stop spreading hate.

[Steveorevo]

Way to go Apple! NO ON HATE. NO ON 8!

[Jesus]

well now is going to be a Rotten Apple among the good ones.
Bye, Bye Apple.
I've never done bussines with you..but know forget it..
Yes on 8

[Brian]

The executive committee of the Yes on 8 campaign just sent this blackmail letter to a No on 8 supporter: http://www.noonprop8.com/downloads/Prop8ThreatLetter.pdf.

This is truly an outrage and should be published for all to see, since it is signed by all the leaders of the Yes on 8 campaign.

Please pass this around and get the word out. Thanks.

[Nikki]

This only makes me love Apple more!! :]

No on Prop 8!

[torqueflite]

Thanks very much, Apple Computers, I'll be buying a macbook very soon! I'm in Colorado but I married my partner in San Francisco in August! Best wishes to NO ON 8 and to the State of California for promoting equal protection!

[Chang]

Sure, let the people decide.

The defeat of Prop 8 may very well open the door to legalizing polygamy. Why not re-write the institution of marriage to encompass anything we want, right?

[Scott Chester]

This is absurd Apple. I've been a big supporter - down to my license plate - and now will seriously consider changing that. I will no longer support your products.

I agree with most of what Jim said. What I'm afraid most people don't understand is that if Prop 8 fails, churches will not have to right to chose who they approve to marry. Don't believe me? Look at the Catholic church in Massachusetts where they were forced to give up their adoption agency because the law wouldn't allow them to follow their religious beliefs.

Additionally, there are plenty of gay people that are FOR Prop 8. Most realize they already have the same rights and don't want to cause problems for people to worship as they see fit.

[c0nd3mn3d]

mean people suck! so do people who want to impose morality & subjugate and repress others with their beliefs & opinions.

i.e. go apple et al. no prop 8!

to all those opposed to gay marriage & abortion & other personal choices: you are opposed to these thing because these things bother you. but the reality is, it is not your place to be bothered, and the proper means to alleviate the contempt you have for people making choices such as these is not to work at taking away choice but to work at overcoming your own control issues. Go see a shrink!

[George Ferguson]

Jim H. makes a statement which is verifiably untrue. He states that "The Mormon church has contributed millions to this proposition. ... They have no right to interfere in the law." However, I believe that a review of the publicly available list of donors does not include the Mormon church. It does show many donors whose religion is not stated although they happen to be Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Jewish, etc. Since the church gave no money, is he suggesting that citizens who are members of the Mormon or other churches can not donate to political causes? Liberals seem to be all for freedom of expression except when it applies to the opposition.

[Michael D.]

Thank you Apple, and everyone else.
My partner and I have waited 10 years to marry and started planning for a spring ceremony. But when polls shifted last month, we feared losing the chance forever. Our happiness about getting married changed to fear and uncertainty for our future. So, we’re getting married on Sunday.

I felt like my own neighbors wanted us to disappear. The “Yes on Prop 8” people say they are protecting their rights. But they will always posses “Freedom of Religion” and protection under the law. Always!

I have known first-hand discrimination. I have been a second class citizen… and I don’t want to go back. Today, I am overjoyed to know that fellow Californians support us and will help us fight. I finally feel we are not alone.
Thank you all so very much.

[chris]

Jesus Christ would definitely vote AGAINST proposition 8

[Sarah Beth]

I think Apple's donation is disturbing as is Google's. I suppose because they are experts in technology, they all of a sudden think they are experts on everything, including the family. Every child development theory says children need both a male parent and a female parent for optimum development--marriage between a man and a woman helps promote this though it does not work in all cases to be sure. The one thing people rarely mention in this debate is this--California's same-sex couple's registered as legal domestic partners already had all the rights and protections of married couple's according to California's Family Code Section 297.5. Proposition 8 does *nothing* to take away any of those rights or protections.

A "yes" on Proposition 8 serves to keep the definition of marriage what it has traditionally always been--a union between a man and a woman and ensures that marriage is promoted as the best relationship for society, which it is because it helps ensure that society continues and that children are raised by a mother and a father, which is what is in the best interest of the children. That is why I am voting Yes on Proposition 8 and asking everyone to do vote Yes on 8, which simply reads, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

[adam&eve]

YAAAAH! For freedom of speaking in this great country of ours!
It was Eve that gave Adam the Apple.
Yes on 8

[Henry]

all FOUR Pres/VP candidates agree on this issue.... Shouldn't we?

Tolerance = love... not acceptance.

YES on 8!
whatisprop8.com

[Lisa]

The only Apple products we own are two ipods. However, I am just starting to look for a new laptop and, while I have never had a Mac in the past, this makes me want to look at them a little more closely. Some people may boycott, but I am now more likely to buy Apple products. Nice to see some companies actually have a conscience.

[Jess]

OK... So reading thru this I see a lot of hate here. Lets look at this two ways... Both from christian propaganda. I see your point yes a marriage should be between a man and a women... But if you are going to believe that in the bible lets look at the other rules we negate...1 Corinthians 14:34"Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says." Its there... and its is not followed at all... so what about marriage between black and white.... how long did that take.. So please believe what you must but until i can see my partner if he is sick in the hospital with out any questions any place any time any where ... also ... you as a church have the right to not marry me.... Deuteronomy 23:2 says "One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the congregation of the Lord." hmmm... If you have gotten this far please follow all rules of the bible but dont pick and choose .. remimber "for god so loved the "WORLD" (i do not see nope not you)that he gave his only son......"

[Marvin G.]

I support Prop 8 because, otherwise, gay marriage will become MANDATORY. Men will be FORCED to marry men, and women will be forced to marry women. That's INSANITY. Plus, my kids will have to learn about it in school. If I'm forced to marry a man, that should at least stay private! Apple, Google, what's going on? Has the WHOLE WORLD turned GAY?!

[bennyinsf]

TO HENRY:

Whenever I hear or read that a homophobe tolerates a gay person, I cringe. Wow. Thanks. Then to read that someone equates tolerance with love -- it's sad that love has so little value to some people.

As a married gay person, I'm not asking for anyone's love. Really, keep your love. I (and many others like me) am only asking that we all have equality under the laws of California and this includes the right to marry the person that each one of us loves.

[sal]

Good for Apple!

Side note: I think marriage is one of these words that have evolved over the many years. I think Christian views get tossed in when arguing marriage in general. People dont care if your Religion doesnt allowe gay marriage. if two people want to get married...Why stop them?