Lilly against gay marriage ban

[Newsjock]

Source: Indianapolis Star

Eli Lilly and Co. today became the latest large Indiana employer to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Tony Murphy, Lilly's senior vice president for human resources, sent a letter to House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, and other legislators saying the amendment could hinder Lilly's ability to attract employees and also paint an image of Indiana as an intolerant state.

Murphy said in the letter that Lilly, which employs nearly 16,000 people in Indiana, has offered domestic partner benefits since January 2004. He said the company is concerned that the language of the amendment could put those benefits at risk.

... It is highly unusual for Lilly to weigh in on an issue with such large political and social overtones. And the fact that Lilly doesn't usually speak out gives its comments this time even greater weight in the Statehouse.

Read more: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070328/LOCAL19/703280479

[Solon]

1. The cynic in me says that they just want to keep employees...

The optimist, on the other hand, actually sees them acting an a manner that has the best interest of employees and the community at heart. And knowing how much I HATE corporations, this is a huge concession for me.

[Maven]

3. Nah, it's more about their self-interest.

It's right there in the article--they know it's bad for business.

'Course, I guess that's how much of progress happens in the 21st century. An affront to fairness? Blah. Institutionalized bigotry? Who cares. Bad for the bottom line? WHOA WHOA WHOA, hold on there.

I guess if it works in our favor, fine. It's just time for the hate to stop, period.

EDIT: I should add--take a look at the comments on the site. There are over 1000 of them--while quite a few are typical parroting of bigoted/fundy nonsense, I would almost say the majority are pro-Lilly and/or anti-amendment. Encouraging. :thumbsup:

[Liberal Veteran]

2. This can't be true. Pharmaceutical companies are evil!!!!

They created Thimerosal which proves how evil they are!

:sarcasm:

[Heidi]

4. Kick.

:kick:

[The Count]

5. Tells me the ol "values" aren't what they used to be! Seriously, this means

that they figured out that the bigotry is a small minority and will tarnish their corporate image. Corporations like this one do marketing polls and carefully mind their PR. It's a sign that times, they are a_changing, no mater how far behind the political propaganda may be