List of companies for and against gay marriage

 Chick-fil-A believes in the biblical definition of the family unit, and that does not sit well with many Americans.  On June 16, 2012, while on the syndicated radio talk show, The Ken Coleman Show, Chick-fil-A president and chief operating officer (COO) Dan Cathy stated, "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage'. I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."However, a Chick-fil-A restaurant in California recently gave free meals to same-sex marriage supporters to show that the chain is “happy to serve the community with hospitality regardless of their beliefs or sexual orientation.” The Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian movement founded in England in 1865. Because of its biblical beliefs, it has come under fire by many gay and lesbian groups. Although it has been accused of discrimination and unfair hiring practices, the organization states, "We believe that all people are equal, regardless of sexual orientation or any other factors including race, gender and ethnicity," stated Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. "We firmly oppose the vilification and mistreatment of gays and lesbians. Any such incident is in clear opposition to all established Salvation Army policy." Jim Walton, the youngest son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, donated $75,000 to the Family Council Action Committee’s 2008 campaign to prevent gay couples from adopting in the state of Arkansas. In 2011, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force criticized Wal-Mart for denying employee benefits to same-sex partners and for failing to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. In spite of these things, In 2012, Wal-Mart scored a 60 on the Corporate Equality Index.View the list »
JC Penney ad features a real life same-sex couple and their kids.

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The topic of equal rights for same-sex couples is becoming increasingly heated, and the nation is somewhat divided-depending on whose poll you believe.

However, there are many companies that have taken a clear stance on their gay marriage views. There are also several companies who do not actively campaign against gay rights, but if you look a little closer, you’ll see just where they stand.

View the list
  •  Jim Walton, the youngest son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, donated $75,000 to the Family Council Action Committee’s 2008 campaign to prevent gay couples from adopting in the state of Arkansas. In 2011, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force criticized Wal-Mart for denying employee benefits to same-sex partners and for failing to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. In spite of these things, In 2012, Wal-Mart scored a 60 on the Corporate Equality Index.
  •  The Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian movement founded in England in 1865. Because of its biblical beliefs, it has come under fire by many gay and lesbian groups. Although it has been accused of discrimination and unfair hiring practices, the organization states, "We believe that all people are equal, regardless of sexual orientation or any other factors including race, gender and ethnicity," stated Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. "We firmly oppose the vilification and mistreatment of gays and lesbians. Any such incident is in clear opposition to all established Salvation Army policy."
  •  Chick-fil-A believes in the biblical definition of the family unit, and that does not sit well with many Americans.  On June 16, 2012, while on the syndicated radio talk show, The Ken Coleman Show, Chick-fil-A president and chief operating officer (COO) Dan Cathy stated, "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage'. I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."However, a Chick-fil-A restaurant in California recently gave free meals to same-sex marriage supporters to show that the chain is “happy to serve the community with hospitality regardless of their beliefs or sexual orientation.”
  •  In 2012 they earned the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) first-ever negative score on their annual Corporate Equality Index (they scored a -25). Exxon Mobil, the HRC reports, “is the only U.S. employer that has ever rescinded both a non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation and domestic partner benefits, and is the only Fortune 10 Company that does not have a non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation.”
  •  JC Penney recently released a gay-friendly ad campaign. In 2011, the company announced that Ellen DeGeneres, who is openly gay, would be its latest spokesperson.On Mother’s Day, it featured a lesbian couple in one of  its ads, and for Father’s Day, the retail chain   issued another print ad, this one with real-life couple Todd Koch and Cooper Smith, and their two young children.In an email to ABC News, JC Penney spokesman Joseph Thomas said that “In celebration of Father’s Day, we’re proud that our June book honors men from diverse backgrounds who all share the joy of fatherhood.”Several organizations boycott the chain because of their stance, including One Million Moms. According to the website, the group was started “to give moms an impact with the decision-makers and let them know we are upset with the messages they are sending our children and the values (or lack of them) they are pushing.”
  •  It seems Kenneth Cole is doing a little advertising for gay marriage. Drivers caught in traffic on New York's Westside Highway get to view a billboard sponsored by Kenneth Cole that reads, “Gay People Getting Married? (Next they’ll be allowed to vote and pay taxes).”His Fall 2011 ad campaign featured several models in same-sex lip locks, and in his ad that shows a male couple holding hands a statistic reads, "52% of Americans think same-sex marriages don't deserve a good reception. Are you putting us on?"In June 2011, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced collaboration with Kenneth Cole in support of marriage equality. "Kenneth Cole has always been a tremendous voice for equality,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “His early and leading role in promoting marriage equality has helped countless Americans understand the innate fairness associated with being able to marry the person you love.”
  •  One of Target's ads promoting its wedding registry gained significant attention. The ad features two men gazing into each other's eyes with the slogan: "Be yourself, together. Build a Target Wedding Gift Registry as unique as the two of you."Target states that "The Target Wedding Registry advertising campaign is designed to reach all guests and represent the diversity of communities we serve," said Molly Snyder, Target Spokeswoman. "At the heart of our company are core values which include Target's long-standing commitment to create an environment where all of our team members and guests feel welcome, valued and respected. We believe our current marketing is consistent with this value."Target found itself in the headlines after deciding not to sell "Channel Orange," the album by R&B singer Frank Ocean. Though Target officials claimed the decision was purely a reaction to iTunes' one-week exclusive sale of the album, many wondered if the move had actually been prompted by Ocean coming out as a gay man.
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Tabatha James is a SAG-Eligible actress, married, and has one daughter. She has been a pageant judge for over ten years and is the first and only black woman to ever win the Ms. Dahlonega Gold Rush pageant. She has also been featured in Jezebel magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful Atlantans. ...

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