Apple posted in their "Hot News" that they are opposed to Proposition 8 on the California ballot. The company has also made a substantial contribution to the No on 8 campaign. The ballot measure, which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry, has stirred up considerable opinions from voters on both sides of the issue.
Below is Apple's statement:
Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. 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.
We ask that commenters respect each other's views and keep it civil.
Austin_Baze
November 01, 2008 at 7:46pm
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender people are NOT seeking anyone's "acceptance" nor anyone's "tolerance." It matter's not a whit if you or anyone else decides to "accept" their existence, or worth. Rights are another matter though. All they (we) are looking for is equal treatment under the law, absolutely and without qualification imposed by any religious group. Keep your religious beliefs out of anyone else's marriage please. LGBT folks want exactly the same rights, tax benefits, responsibilities and regulations which accrue to opposite gender couples when THEY marry, nothing more and nothing less. They also want to be able to celebrate a union based on love, just like opposite gender couples can regardless of their religion or lack thereof.
How dare anyone to feign "acceptance"of me, while condemning my innate attraction to the same gender. Your religious beliefs and oddly-constrained, myopic view of the principles on which this country was founded are no excuse for imposing those beliefs and that view on me or anyone else, nor enshrining the discrimination they represent in a state constitution.
Bravo again to Apple for taking a principled corporate stand on an issue of EQUALITY. For all.
guitaradam
October 28, 2008 at 8:32am
The real issue is accountability. People don't want to have anyone tell them what is wrong and right. This gives people the freedom to be able to do what they want to do, and no one can tell them we're wrong. For the last 50 years, we have created this horrible thing called tolerance. It basically means, you do what you want and I won't say anything; while I do what I want and you don't say anything. As long as you tell others that what they are doing is fine, they will leave you alone also. We have moved away from what was intended: a society that maintained the sanctity of life that brought freedom when living correctly. That has been removed from society now. There is now no freedom. Everyone is bound in tolerance. I refuse to tolerate. I accept the person - not what they do. I accept the person - not the homosexuality.
StoneCRM114
October 28, 2008 at 11:24am
I believe this is the first time I've seen someone use the word tolerance with a negative connotation. Take a look at the definition of tolerance, and you'll note that you're contradicting yourself. Unfortunately, you can't accept the person without accepting what they do. That's a convenient tactic used in organized religion and politics to justify one's views while trying to avoid conflict (and therefore avoiding resolution to any conflict). I guess the bottom line is that this is an issue not unlike many social issues that take decades to resolve, and it's most likely that we'll all be dead before we see the resolution. That being said, I value the opinions that have been stated here if I'm on their side or not. Diversity is what makes our country great! The Words "too @*#!-ing busy" shouldn't be in a waitress' vocabulary. - Mr. Pink
guitaradam
October 28, 2008 at 6:40am
All our country wants to do is change what this country was founded upon. I am personally against gay marriage. I am not against the person. I am against what the homosexual agenda is. I don't believe that Apple should make a statement that almost expresses what Apple consumers believe. They should sell technology, not make a political statement. If Jobs has this feeling, let him make it on his own with his own money, not with Apple as his front. People have to be smart enough to understand that "No on 8" is seeking funding from corporations just to push their cause, not seeking approval.
I am against gay marriage and all gay rights. And those who are against this issue need to take a stand. This is just wrong, and people know it.
StoneCRM114
October 28, 2008 at 7:56am
Those who believe it wrong, believe it wrong based on religious beliefs, and there is NOTHING wrong with that. What's wrong is that they feel their religious beliefs should be pushed on others who don't share them. Our country was founded on freedom of (and FROM) religion. Creating laws based on religious beliefs is wrong not to mention UN-AMERICAN! In terms of procreation, men are meant to mate with women and visa-versa, but to think that a few thousand (or few hundred thousand or a few million even) pose any threat to heterosexuals, or the human race as a whole is simply naive.The only sad thing about this is that it's still an issue. The Words "too @*#!-ing busy" shouldn't be in a waitress' vocabulary. - Mr. Pink
Austin_Baze
October 27, 2008 at 10:27pm
Bravo to Apple for taking a stand. Absolute. Unqualified. Equality. It's a simple concept. If you are against it, for whatever reason, you are wrong. If Apple loses a single customer who believes that legislating to enshrine discrimination against citizens in the state constitution is a good idea, they have not lost much at all. This is a civil rights issue, and Apple, as IBM did in the 60's, is taking a stand for civil rights for all. Religious belief is NOT an allowance to discriminate, nor to codify discrimination in law.
gavinthain
October 27, 2008 at 3:21pm
Nice one Apple.
Shame that any part of the world wants to comment or judge someone's private life.
you guys in america are so similar to the muslims of the middle east. how funny.
Shock headline - Man Marries Woman - America in turmoil.
uh huh.
jeffmckeand
October 27, 2008 at 12:11pm
I have to say I'm disappointed in Apple for feeling the need to make a public statement on an issue that is so politically polarizing.
I happen to live in an overwhelmingly conservative state, and I don't appreciate Apple positioning themselves in a way which instantly attaches a stigma to their products and consumers, regardless of the position each consumer may take on the issue.
While I personally support Apple's decision to offer equal rights and benefits to all of their employees and partners regardless of sexual orientation, I don't feel it's an appropriate selling point between the company and their consumers who hold a broad range of positions on this issue.
As a consumer, I have a single expectation of Apple: To keep making products that make my life easier and more enjoyable. In no way does that include sticking their rear end out in the wind and making a stink over an issue that should be left between the company and its employees, not aired out in public.
This isn't the first time I've been disappointed in Apple, and I've continued to buy and use their products through disappointment. But I expect to be disappointed in them for failed rollouts and software glitches, not private political issues.
StoneCRM114
October 27, 2008 at 12:10pm
Good job Apple! I wish our candidates would be so clear thinking about this issue.
The Words - too @*#!-ing busy - shouldn't be in a waitress' vocabulary. - Mr. Pink
Carol Pinchefsky
October 27, 2008 at 11:46am
I'm very pleased to hear Apple is supporting marriage in all its wonderfully diverse forms.
If you're over 18 and a tax-paying citizen, you deserve the same rights as other tax-paying citizens, gay or straight.
