Amazon, Bloomberg, CBS, and General Electric are among the dozens of companies that have signed an amicus brief filed to the Eleventh Circuit Court supporting the plaintiffs of Brenner v. Armstrong, a same-sex marriage case in Florida that is likely to enable gay couples to marry as early as January 6.
“State laws and constitutions denying marriage to gay and lesbian citizens are bad for our businesses,” the brief reads. “Amici are forced to bear unnecessary costs, complexity, and risk in managing our companies, and we are hampered in our efforts to recruit and retain the most talented workforce possible—all of which places us at a competitive disadvantage.”
The brief continues:
“Our success depends upon the welfare and morale of all employees, without distinction.
The burden—imposed by state law—of having to administer complicated schemes designed to account for differential treatment of similarly situated employees interferes with our business and creates unnecessary confusion, tension, and ultimately, diminished employee morale. We write to advise the Court of the impact on employers of the disparate treatment mandated by states that refuse to permit or recognize marriages between same-sex couples.”
Read the full brief via Equality Case Files:
