Halliburton's Change of Heart. Company Adopts Gay Nondiscrimination Policy

[Ian David]

By KERRY ELEVELD
Friday, March 02, 2007

If Mary Cheney were to follow in her father’s footsteps and become CEO of Halliburton today, she could no longer be fired because her life partner of 15 years, Heather Poe, is a woman.

In a little noticed move last month, Halliburton amended three of its corporate governance policies to protect gays and lesbians from being discriminated against, harassed, or fired simply on the basis of their sexual orientation. The policy change also includes shareholders, members of the Board of Directors, customers and suppliers of the company.

Mary Cheney is the openly gay daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, who served as CEO of Halliburton from 1995 to 2000. Last fall, The Washington Post reported that Mary Cheney is pregnant and due to give birth later this spring.

The policy change came in response to a shareholder resolution filed by the Boston-based investment firm Trillium Asset Management Corporation on behalf of its clients who own Halliburton stock.

“Because the struggle for gay marriage is so prominent, it’s easy for most people to forget that in 33 states, it’s still perfectly legal to fire someone simply for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered,” said Shelley Alpern, vice president of Trillium Asset, which specializes in socially responsible investing.


Vice President Dick Cheney is joined by his openly gay daughter Mary, at right, and her partner of 15 years, Heather Poe, left, as they attended church services last September. Mary Cheney, 37, is pregnant and the couple is expecting the baby late this spring. AP Photo: J. Scott Applewhite.

More:
http://www.newyorkblade.com/2007/3-2/news/national/halliburton.cfm

[msongs]

1. uh oh, are they trying to head off investigations by being nice to...gays? nt

[jwirr]

2. My empathy for the gay liberation movement does not go far enough

for me to like this company. Sorry.

[Ian David]

3. I know. But pass this along to conservatives on your email list. n/t