Apple Among Companies Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Support Gay Marriage

Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Facebook are among 379 companies that filed a friend-of-the-court brief pressing the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn bans on same-sex marriage in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, reports USA Today.

The brief in the Obergefell v. Hodges case argues that without a uniform principle, employers and their employees suffer from significant burdens. It cites evidence showing the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Prohibiting same-sex marriage, the companies argue, makes it tougher to recruit and train employees.

"State laws that prohibit or decline to recognize marriages between same-sex couples hamper employer efforts to recruit and retain the most talented workforce possible in those states. Our successes depend upon the welfare and morale of all employees, without distinction," says the brief filed by the law firm Morgan Lewis on Thursday.


The Supreme Court is planning to hear oral arguments on April 28th, as to whether states can ban same-sex marriage. In November, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the bans; however, the Supreme Court has previously let stand other rulings that struck down same-sex marriage bans.

These "inconsistent and discriminatory state laws" leads to unnecessary confusion, tension, and diminished employee morale, claims the brief.

Notably, Apple CEO Tim Cook came out as gay back in October 2014. He has since made personal donations to gay rights campaigns in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

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