business case for the freedom to marry

T H E B U S I N E S S C A S E F O R T H E

FREEDOM TO MARRY

EQUAL JUST ICE UNDER LAW

2 | THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

The Business Case for theFREEDOM TO MARRYWhat is the Freedom to Marry?Marriage is about love, commitment, and family. The Illinois bill proposing civil marriage equality is called the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The Act would guarantee that all civil marriages, regardless of whether they are between opposite-sex or same-sex couples, will come with the same protections, rights, and responsibilities for the married couples and their children. Same-sex parties to a marriage and their children will be treated under Illinois law in the same way that it recognizes marriages of opposite-sex couples. Additionally, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act respects the guarantees of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, allowing free exercise of religion and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference. Marriage is about love, commitment, and family. The Illinois bill proposing marriage equality, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, would guarantee that all marriages, regardless of whether they are between opposite-sex or same-sex couples, will come with the same protections, rights, and responsibilities for the parties to the marriage and their children.

Why is Marriage Important? Gay and lesbian individuals want to get married to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love and to protect their families. Governments use the institution of marriage to recognize and protect family units. There are 1,138 federal rights that are inherent in marriage, most of which are unavailable to Illinois couples because this state does not have the freedom to marry. In addition, the state of Illinois affords 648 protections to married couples and their families.

Some of these rights include:

Where is Illinois On Marriage?

Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (Senate Bill 10). The bill was quickly passed by the Senate Executive Committee and

approved the bill. The House adjourned its session without voting on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act; however, the bill was extended through August 31, 2013, with the possibility of additional extensions, as needed.

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THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY | 3

Dispelling MARRIAGE EQUALITY MYTHS:

MYTH:

FACT: marriage. Marriage will remain an institution entered into by two people who love each other and seek to make a lifetime commitment to each other and protect their families.

MYTH: If marriage equality is legalized, all churches and religious institutions will be forced to perform same-sex marriages and recognize those unions as legitimate.

FACT: Marriage equality legalizes civil marriage for same-sex couples. This means that religious institutions are not affected in any way. No religious institution would ever be forced to marry same-sex couples or recognize same-sex marriages within their belief system.

MYTH: Marriages between gays and lesbians have a negative effect on children.

FACT: Excluding same-sex couples from marriage harms children by denying them and their families the rights, protection, and sense of legitimacy that comes with legal marriage. Studies consistently show that children of gay and lesbian couples are equally as well adjusted as those of opposite-sex couples. In fact, all major child welfare experts,

Association support the freedom of same-sex couples to marry because

marriage brings. Millions of children are currently being raised by same-sex couples and the only way to

and protections as their neighbors and classmates is if their parents are allowed to be married.

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MYTH: Illinois already has civil unions which provide the same rights as marriage.

FACT: Civil unions are not equal to marriages. The institution of marriage has a long legal and cultural history, so employers, businesses, and other societal actors know how to treat married couples. This is not the same for civil unions. Equality Illinois has documented numerous instances where private institutions, such as businesses, have

Because of the confusion over the status and rights of civil union couples, they are constantly unsure of how they will be treated by different people around their state. The bottom line is, because civil unions and marriages are two separate institutions, this implies that the love and commitment that same-sex couples share is less valid than that of opposite-sex couples who have the option of being married.

MYTH: Marriage is a historical institution that has so far remained unchanged.

FACT: Marriage has actually evolved throughout history to meet the needs of our society. At various points in the past it was common to have arranged marriages, women

of the same race. During the decades when the majority of Americans supported bans on interracial marriage, proponents of the ban called marriage between a man and woman of different races “unnatural” and anti-religious, and claimed that our society

these arguments against interracial marriage seem dated and bigoted, but the same language is being used to attack equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

MYTH: The recent Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor granted equal rights to

gay and lesbian couples by striking down the Defense of Marriage Act.

FACT: Striking down DOMA allows the federal government now to recognize marriages of

available to couples in civil unions. Not only does Illinois offer only civil unions to

same-sex couples, but even if the couples travel to other states to get married and come back


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Ten Reasons Business Leaders SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY:

Supporting marriage equality shows that you respect and value the dignity of all employees.

Support for marriage equality helps companies maintain a competitive edge for recruiting and retaining the best talent by demonstrating a commitment to creating an open, healthy, and equitable environment in which to live and work.

The lifeblood of a company is its ability to understand and connect with its customers. To be successful, it’s critical that the workforce is as diverse as the customers.

Being able to select from a broader pool of employees will lead to a stronger workforce, enabling the company to thrive and earn more revenue.

Marriage equality would put employers in Illinois on an equal footing with employers in states that have already recognized the committed relationship of same-sex couples.

There is no substitute for employees with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

Support for marriage equality will enable every minority employee to feel secure and valued.

Attracting talent to Illinois is key to our state’s economic future.

Support for marriage equality helps build a reputation for fairness.

Leading on the issue of equality is the right thing to do.


6 | THE BUSINESS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

MARRIAGE EQUALITYBusiness Leaders Supporting

Bruce Bastian, Founder of WordPerfect Software CompanyCandace Beinecke, Chair of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLPTom Bernstein, President and Co-Founder of Chelsea Piers L.P., Former Principal of Silver Screen

Management Inc.Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman SachsMichael Bloomberg, Founder and Owner of Bloomberg L.P.Kevin Burke, Chairman, President, and CEO of Consolidated Edison Inc. Kenneth Cole, Clothing Designer, Founder of Kenneth Cole ProductionsPhilippe Dauman, CEO of ViacomDaniel Doctoroff, President of Bloomberg L.P.Patrick Dunican Jr., Chairman and Managing Director of Gibbons P.C.Tom Ford, Fashion Designer and Film DirectorBill Gates, Former CEO and Current Chairman of MicrosoftTom Glocer, Former CEO of Thomson Reuters and ReutersJonathan Grayer, Former Chairman and CEO of Kaplan Inc.Robert Haas, Chairman Emeritus of Levi Strauss & Co.Marc Jacobs, head designer for Marc Jacobs and Creative Director for Louis VuittonKlaus Kleinfeld, Former CEO of Siemens AG, CEO of Alcoa IncRochelle Lazarus, Chairman and former CEO of Ogilvy & MatherDaniel Loeb, Manager and Founder of Third Point LLCJohn Mack, Senior Advisor, Former CEO and Chairman of the Board at Morgan StanleyRichard Parsons, Chairman of CitigroupAlan Patricof, Founder of Apax Partners Ronald Perelman, Owner of MacAndrews & Forbes Holding Inc.Laura Ricketts, Co-Owner of the Chicago Cubs and CEO of Ecotravel.comDan Rubin, Partner at Alloy VenturesWilliam C. Rudin, President of Rudin Management CompanyKevin Ryan, Founder and CEO of Gilt Groupe, Former CEO of DoubleClickHoward Schultz, CEO of StarbucksPaul Singer, Founder and CEO of Elliott Management CorporationJerry Speyer, Founder of Tischman Speyer, Owner of Rockefeller Center Jes Staley, Chief Executive of J.P. MorganStuart Match Suna, Co-Owner and President of Silvercup StudiosJonathan Tisch, Chairman of Loews Hotels, Co-Chairman of Loews CorporationSteve Tisch, Owner of the New York GiantsBernard Whitman, President of Whitman Insight StrategiesAnna Wintour, Editor In-Chief of VogueKathryn Wylde, President and Chief Executive of the Partnership for New York City and Deputy Chair to the

Board the Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkStrauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive Software and Partner of ZelnickMedia LLCMortimer Zuckerman, Owner of New York Daily News, Editor In-Chief of U.S. News and World Report

Business Leaders Support the FREEDOM TO MARRY (The following lists are illustrative and not complete. Please contact EQIL if you would like to add your name.)

Illinois Business Leaders Supporting the Freedom to Marry:

Amy Bluhm

Carole Brown, Senior Managing Director, Barclays CapitalLewis B. Campbell, Chairman and CEO, Navistar International

Hon. William M. DaleyLaura Desmond, CEO, Starcom Mediavest GroupFred Eychaner, Chairman, Newsweb Corporation

David A. Helfand, CEO, Helix Funds

Fred Hoch, CEO, Illinois Technology Association

Kym Hubbard, CIO and Treasurer, Ernst & Young

Chris Kennedy, Founder and Chairman, Top Box Foods

Joseph Mansueto, Founder and CEO, Morningstar Inc.

Matt Moog, Founder and Chairman, Built In Chicago

Laura Ricketts, Co-Owner of the Chicago Cubs and CEO of Ecotravel.com

John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Ariel Investments, LLCJohn W. Rowe, Chairman Emeritus, Exelon Corporation

Harrison I. Steans, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Financial Investments Corp.

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc.

Estelle Walgreen, Founder, Hispanically Speaking News

National Business Leaders Supporting the Freedom to Marry:

of Silver Screen Management Inc.Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs

Bill Gates, Former CEO and Current Chairman of MicrosoftTom Glocer, Former CEO of Thomson Reuters and ReutersJonathan Grayer, Former Chairman and CEO of Kaplan Inc.Robert Haas, Chairman Emeritus of Levi Strauss & Co.Klaus Kleinfeld, Former CEO of Siemens AG, CEO of Alcoa Inc

Rochelle Lazarus, Chairman and former CEO of Ogilvy & Mather

John Mack, Senior Advisor, Former CEO and Chairman of the Board at Morgan Stanley

Kevin Ryan, Founder and CEO of Gilt Groupe, Former CEO of DoubleClickHoward Schultz, CEO of Starbucks

Jerry Speyer, Founder of Tischman Speyer, Owner of Rockefeller Center

Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of Loews Hotels, Co-Chairman of Loews CorporationSteve Tisch, Owner of the New York Giants

and Deputy Chair to the Board the Federal Reserve Bank of New York

ZelnickMedia LLCMortimer Zuckerman, Owner of New York Daily News, Editor In-Chief of U.S. News and World Report

Illinois Organizations and Businesses Supporting the Freedom to Marry:AONChicago Urban LeagueGoogleGrouponIllinois Science & Technology CoalitionKnight Engineers & ArchitectsNavistarThe Nielson Co.Orbitz Worldwide Inc.

National Brands Supporting the Freedom to Marry:AbsolutAdobeAetnaAlcoa

AmazonAppleBarnes & Noble

Bloomberg BoeingBudweiserCaesars EntertainmentCiscoCitiGroup The Corcoran GroupConcurConsolidated EdisonCumminseBayElectronic ArtsExpediaFacebookGeneral MillsGilt GroupeGoldman Sachs

IntelKenneth ColeLevi Strauss & Co.Marriott InternationalMicrosoft Corp.Morgan StanleyNike

NordstromOgilvy and MatherOracle

Real NetworksSequoia CapitalSilvercup StudiosSmirnoffStarbucks Corp.Thomson ReutersTwitter

XeroxZynga


Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs and Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

In Their Own Words:

long ago that equality is just good business and is the right thing to do.”

“Our company has a lengthy history of leading and supporting policies that promote equality and inclusion. This

our belief in the equal treatment of partners. We are deeply dedicated to embracing diversity and treating one another with respect and dignity, and remain committed to providing an inclusive, supportive, and safe work environment for all of our partners.”

- Kalen Holmes, Starbucks

“The spirit of these bills is consistent with our longstanding employment practices.”- Mary Osako, Spokeswoman for Amazon

“At Microsoft we pride ourselves on our products and services, our brand, and our global reach. But unquestionably,

disadvantage if we cannot offer a similar, inclusive environment to our talented employees, our top recruits and their families. Employers in the technology sector face an unprecedented national and global competition for top talent. Marriage equality in Washington would put employers here on an equal footing with employers in the six other states that already recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples… This in turn will help us continue to compete for talent.”

- Brad Smith, General Counsel to Microsoft

“Anything that makes Indiana less inclusive and less welcoming for our current employees and for our future

- Mark Osowick, Recruiting Director for Cummins, speaking about a potential ban on same-sex marriage in Indiana

At the end of the day, marriage equality will come: partly through the courts; partly through the legislative

process. More and more community leaders will offer their support, and someday soon gays and lesbians across

America will be able to choose to get married, or not. Which side of history do you want to be on?”

At the end of the day, marriage equality will come: partly through the courts; partly through the legislative process. More and more community leaders will offer their

support, and someday soon gays and lesbians across America will be able to choose get Bernard Whitman,

Whitman Insight Strategies


FINANCIAL IMPACT- Allowing same-sex couples to marry will have positive effects on the Illinois economy and tax revenues. Should marriage equality become law in Illinois, The Williams Institute projects additional revenue of up to $103 million in spending over three years just from weddings by Illinois residents. The study estimates

estimated $1-2 million in local sales taxes.

ECONOMIC PULL- According to Forbes, if marriage equality was legal nationwide, there would be an estimated

BROAD NEED-

GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY-

JUST THE FACTS

heterosexual couples.

company has exhibited pro LGBT support.

sends a positive and unequivocal message to LGBT employees and customers and makes an important statement on diversity and inclusion.

Marriage Equality: FAIR TO FAMILIES, GOOD FOR BUSINESS, GREAT FOR ILLINOIS


Barack Obama

United States(Democrat) Joe Biden

United States (Democrat)

Bill Clinton

the United States (Democrat)

Dick Cheney

of the United States (Republican)

Rahm EmanuelMayor of Chicago (Democrat)

Pat Quinn Governor of Illinois (Democrat)

MARRIAGE EQUALITY


Dick DurbinU.S. Senator, Illinois (Democrat)

Pat Bradyformer Illinois Republican

John CullertonIllinois Senate

(Democrat)

Michael MadiganSpeaker of the Illinois House of Representatives (Democrat)

Mark Kirk U.S. Senator, Illinois (Republican)

Judy Baar Topinka Illinois Comptroller (Republican)

MARRIAGE EQUALITY


AN OPEN LETTER FROM ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADERS ON THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

ability to attract top talent from around the world. Since human capital drives innovation and growth, a state must foster an environment where people want to live.

To be competitive, a state must create an equitable, fair and respectful environment for all of its citizens. For this reason – among others – it is vitally important that Illinois lawmakers enact marriage equality soon.

Marriage equality would strengthen the workforces of Illinois employers, who know there is no substitute for employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Companies must understand a changing marketplace and be able to connect with their customers; having a diverse workforce

Williams Institute, allowing same-sex couples to marry would generate between $39 million and

lodging tax revenues over three years.

The American people are increasingly supportive of marriage equality, with a majority believing same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. We agree with them. States with the metro areas of New York City, Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore have already legalized marriage equality. Here in the Midwest, Iowa and Minnesota have granted full marriage equality. Illinois simply cannot afford to be less competitive than other states.

To join the long list of signatories of this open letter, to endorse the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, or to discuss

marriage equality further please contact Equality Illinois.

Equality Illinois17 North State Street, Suite 1020 Chicago, Illinois 60602

[email protected]. www.eqil.org


and protecting equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Equality Illinois17 North State Street, Suite 1020

Chicago, Illinois 60602

[email protected]. www.eqil.org

© 2013 Equality Illinois

business case for the freedom to marry

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