Nordstrom issues email in support of same-sex marriage
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Upscale department store chain Nordstrom Inc. has joined a number of Pacific Northwest businesses in expressing support for gay marriage.
The Seattle-based company sent out an email Thursday morning to its 56,000 employees, saying "is our belief that our gay and lesbian employees are entitled to the same rights and protections marriage provides under the law as all other employees."
The letter was signed by Nordstrom executives and brothers Blake, Pete and Erik Nordstrom.
Referendum 74, to be voted on next month, asks voters to either approve or reject a law passed earlier this year allowing gay marriage in Washington state. That law is on hold pending the November vote.
Nordstrom joins other companies that have publicly supported same-sex marriage, including Amazon, Microsoft Corp., Starbucks Corp. and Nike Inc.
The Seattle-based company sent out an email Thursday morning to its 56,000 employees, saying "is our belief that our gay and lesbian employees are entitled to the same rights and protections marriage provides under the law as all other employees."
The letter was signed by Nordstrom executives and brothers Blake, Pete and Erik Nordstrom.
Referendum 74, to be voted on next month, asks voters to either approve or reject a law passed earlier this year allowing gay marriage in Washington state. That law is on hold pending the November vote.
Nordstrom joins other companies that have publicly supported same-sex marriage, including Amazon, Microsoft Corp., Starbucks Corp. and Nike Inc.
See more info at https://www.facebook.com/2ndVote.
If you want to know more about different companies that are supporting a variety of causes, check out 2nd Vote at 2ndvote.com! They will be having an app come out in about a month that will help you make decisions about what you would like to support!Â
Get those new colors in stock already, did we?
Another Washington Company to add to my list of "Do not purchase from". Guess it's time to sell my stock in Nordy's as well!
Companies really need to keep their nose out of things like this if they want to continue to be successful.
 @Obummer don't forget to sell all of your computers and get off the internet....
 @Obummer What, that they are publicly supporting ALL of their employees?  How horrible of them!
Corporations are not people and do not have moral values. They want you to think they are a living, breathing human being that has feelings and brains. The people within the walls of Nordstrom come from all walks of life and it is the individual, the actual human being that has judgments, values, emotions, intelligence, etc - As much as these corporations would like you to treat their corporation like a family member or friend with feelings it's not happening and I don't play into that mindset. PS - I could care less if you want to marry the same sex but I also think it's okay to be politically incorrect and not jump on the "it's okay to marry your same sex partner" band wagon if that's how you feel and not to be guilted into it because it's the politically correct thing to do.
 @alildifferent they have every right to have their opinion, just not to legislate it in the name of religion...which is the only argument they seem to have against it.
 @alildifferent Also - According to the legal system, Corporations are people and money is speech. Just to be clear here.
 @alildifferent People who want to keep the world filled with inequality should feel bad. Just misogynists should feel bad. Just like racists should feel bad. It's not politically correct - it's just doing the right thing.  It wasn't that long ago that people of two different races weren't allowed to get married and everyone who supported keeping that law should feel bad too.
 @quidproquo  @alildifferent "You don't agree with what is popular and therefore 'the right thing', so you should just be shamed into shutting up or be run out of town!".....there, fixed that for you. Free speech is free speech. Respond, debate, argue....but never say someone shouldn't say what they truly feel, even if YOU think it is wrong or politically incorrect. Then when it comes time, vote and if the people truly feel the way you do (in a valid system), the laws will reflect that. To silence someone else via shaming or threats is mob mentality and no better than criminal.
@quidproquo - that's why our world is a mess and full of hate and wars because there is no such thing as "one way belief" system.
@quidproquo Nobody should feel bad about their opinions until they do on their own want to change. People should feel about when they force others to feel the same way they feel.
Big deal. I'm not gay so I don't have a dog in this fight.....and marriage IMHO is an antiquated function that serves to help you lose 50% of your stuff when the divorce inevitably happens anyhow. If gay or lesbian couples want in on that "deal", then be my guest. No skin off my back, and I don't get why people give themselves stress over it.
Quick, everyone defend Nordstrom and crucify anyone that doesn't support gay marriage.... it's the popular thing to do. So sick of all of this.
@makeadifference - those who did the 'how dare you complain about a company expressing it's opinion' with chic-fil-a had better not say a damm word about Nordstrom voicing thier opinion.
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Otherwise - they are simply two faced hypocrites who want to have thier cake and eat it too.
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Plain and simple.
 @makeadifference Hey, I respect chik fil a's right to not support it. Corporations are people and all and people can have opinions. It just means that I give money to people I agree with. It's actually great to know where companies stand on these things so I can make informed purchasing decisions. Money is speech.
Looks like I won't be shopping there now...
I don't support any business that supports either side publicly... I don't think it is a business issue, and the businesses shouldn't be siding one way or the other...
I don't even support one way or the other... mainly because I don't really give a rip one way or the other... It isn't governments responsiblility to tell someone who they can and cannot marry...
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 @Mr. H Heterosexuals currently have special rights. It isn't the governments place to decide who gets special rights, therefor they should be applied equally. Any consenting person of majority age should be able to sign a contract together to share property and their lives together.
@quidproquo @Mr. H What are the special rights heterosexuals get?
 @Stephiehgirl If people were a little less cavalier about getting married we would see a bit less of that. Sadly I grew up in the south and people got married just so they could bang their high school sweet heart and not feel guilty and then would end up divorced in just a few years.
@WhatRJDid @justsayin - oh don't forget the other half for a marriage license - Divorce papers, custody battles, child support, spousal support.
 @justsayin A marriage license.
 @justsayin We get the right to marry the person we want to marry. Homosexuals are denied that ability, therefor, we have a special right.Â
 @Mr. H So.... what you are saying is... you support same sex marriage. If A and B, then C. If the government does mandate who can marry, and you believe the government shouldn't impose restrictions on who can marry, then you support anyone marrying anyone. Therefore, you are for same sex marriage. Just checking.
 @Mr. H did you see the comment by Lykos...lol
Separate is not equal! What is so wrong with using the same word? If you were denied this right wouldn't you feel the same? Marriage is a legal contract and it is not fair that a group of people are denied that legal contract. Ever hear of Loving vs. Virginia? Denying a group of people the right to marry is discrimination plain and simple and it is even in the 14th amendment.
There is no good argument for not allowing us to marry and call it marriage. Would you like to introduce your wife as your civil union partner or ask someone to enter into a 'civil union' instead of saying will you marry me? I bet if you had these rights denied you would feel the same way and be all up in arms about it.
Stop being so damn selfish and start thinking about other people in this country. Remember, there are gay soldiers dying for your stupid ass.
 @sb in seattle As a straight married woman it actually makes me sad that heterosexuals get special rights. It will be a very awesome day when everyone is treated equally in the eyes of the law. Obviously marriage is just one step in that giant puzzle but a step none the less.
 @sb in seattle It's a strange hang up, isn't it? As a straight married guy, I don't understand. I don't want a copyright on the word. There is no religious test to be issued a marriage license, and it should be a legal right afforded to two consenting adults who want to be married. Being stuck on owning the word is truly bizarre to me.
What a coinky-dink that on the same day as this newsflash that I would be making a statement too.
Nordstrom...are they still in business?!?
 @Bianca They certainly get mine. I mostly thrift my clothes but when I want to treat myself to something that will last for as long as I stay the same size, Nordstrom is the place I go. The service and quality of even the Nordstrom store brand goods is awesome. I was planning on buying a leather coat this year that will theoretically last a lifetime and this seals the deal that i will stop putting it off and buy it this year.
I am issueing a statement later today on my views. Stay tuned folks.
 @SlimPickens Use spell check when you do.
I may be old fashioned, but I feel that it's inappropriate for a business to publicize political opinions.Â
 @Smashquail I'm not sure I agree it's inappropriate, but it may not always be wise... inherently in doing so, you run the risk of alienating customers. I'm not meaning this in regards to this specific issue, but political issues in general. I think it's probably much wiser to walk the walk than talk the talk... treat your customers equally and as importantly... treat your employees equally. If I witness a business not treating all of their customers and employees equally... that's the business I no longer patronize.Â
 @Smashquail "I feel that it's inappropriate for a business to publicize political opinions."
Would that extend to religious organizations?
 @Smashquail It's sad that people think civil rights are political opinions.
 @Smashquail I may be old fashioned, but I feel that businesses can have any opinion they'd like in our free country.
 @BellevueGuru after all "corporations are people my friend".
 @Smashquail so you also feel that it was inappropriate for Chick-a-fil to do the same?
 @dentalgirl57  @Smashquail The difference is Chick-Fil-A didn't say anything one way or the other as a corporation, as Nordstrom is doing. The OWNER of Chick-Fil-A happened to be asked his opinion and he gave it....the company he owns, doesn't seem to have an opinion either way. Either way I still don't see the big deal either way....don't we all have bigger issues to worry about like a budget crisis?
 @dg54321  @dentalgirl57  @Smashquail I would imagine this issue is huge for people wanting the right to marry. However, this law was passed by the legislature. The people you should complain to are the preserve marriage crowd who fought it.
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@Truth Percolates Mmmmm, I wonder how long it takes your comment to be removed...
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The term 'marriage' is used in a variety of ways. The blending of foods and spices. The description of a sports team or athlete. Yet if it is somehow used to describe the union of a same sex couple it is innapropriate? There is no copyright or trademark on the word. Words change in their meanings as society repurposes them. Text used to refer to a book, now it's something that's done with a cell phone. A mouse used to be a pest, now we all have them with computers.
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What this is really about is your intolorance towards a group of people who have differing views to your own and your desire to have them persecuted, discriminated against, and sanctioned. Nothing more than that. As far as the legal aspects of the subject go, marriage has been determined by the supreme court to be a basic human right protected by the constitution in the case Loving vs Virginia. Next, the government cannot discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation in regards to the rights that are offered to the public. So apart from your unspoken "I find it to be ickey" argument, you have nothing else. Considering you have the right to decide what's right for you, so should others.
 @what?  @Truth I think the "icky" factor is behind a lot of the ant-equality feelings. Apparently they think we spend all our time having sex. And think about this, your parents and grandparents started you by having sex. That's a little icky too, but we don't stop them from getting married, do we?
@Truth Percolates -- This is absurd. People against Gay Marraige say that Gays are destroying the meaning of marraige, etc. You do understand that "marraige" is a word and does not define what marraige is, right? Labeling it "gay-raige" does not change the fact that the gay couple is still participating in a marraige, by defenition. You've simply masked the issue so you can sleep at night and THAT, in my oppionion is what really destroys the defenition of something. Just pointing out a serious flaw in your logic... Frankly, I want gays to be able to marry. The way I see it, either marraige is indeed a religious ceremony and therefore the government should have nothing to do with it (seperation of church and state) -OR- Marraige is a civil ceremony, in which case it would be unethical to restrict certian groups from participating in the act. Simple as that.
 @Truth Percolates I, as a straight married woman, will be very proud of our state when we no longer give SPECIAL RIGHTS (see I can do it too!) to HETEROSEXUALS and instead extend those rights to everyone equally.
 @Truth Percolates I, a straight married man, have no problem with gay people being offered the same rights and name for their union that I have. History will be on my side.
@Truth Percolates. Seperate is not equal! What is so wrong with using the same work? If you were denied this right wouldn't you feel the same? Marriage is a legal contract and it is not fair that a groupl of people are denied that legal contract. Ever hear of Loving vs. Virginia?
 @Truth Percolates WE HETEROSEXUALS wonder why you feel the need for capital letters? Just from the tone of your comment, we get it...and I doubt you are really for anything you consider to be Gay.....sigh.... You do realize that by claiming to own the word "marriage", you are advocating for special rights and words...?
 @Truth Percolates I've tried and tried, but I still can't figure out how asking for equal rights equals "special rights?" Unless you are gay, allowing gays to marry isn't going to affect you and it's not a "special right."Â
 @Truth Percolates why are you so full of hate?
@donner @Truth Percolates what are you so full of hate, he's just joking.
 @Truth Percolates You seem to be the one coming up with special words, not gay folk.