Marriott Marquis in downtown San Francisco
Have you heard? Mormon-led Marriott International is one of the first large US corporations to join an HRC coalition to repeal the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Here’s what Marriott’s David Rodriguez said about joining the coalition: “We are proud of our longstanding commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal treatment of all our employees within our benefits programs…Joining the business coalition for DOMA repeal affirms that commitment.”
In December, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who has donated to pro-Proposition 8 groups, re-joined Marriott’s board.
A story in the LA Times includes quotes from Bill Marriott on why he does not mix his personal views on marriage (man-woman only) with the operations of his business. “We have to take care of our people, regardless of their sexual orientation or anything else,” said Marriott in a recent interview. Bloomberg reports that 13 other large corporations, including San Jose-based eBay and Redwood City-based Electronic Arts have also joined the coalition. San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels has also joined in.
Does this change your mind about Marriott? Have you avoided staying at the various Marriott brands (such as Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Courtyard, Residence Inn) due to its deep connections to the Mormon Church? Please leave your comments below.
–Chris McGinnis
I was a Marriott Platinum member but have not stayed in a Marriott property since the Mormon push on Prop 8. Rest assured, that income will find it’s way into the LDS coffers and fund anti-gay issues and candidates.
This is about making money, really. What Bill Marriott is really saying is that he still believe marriage equality is wrong, but he needs a workforce and he needs paying hotel guests. He’ll still work against those people outside of the board room, but gladly pay them paltry salaries in wages and take greenbacks for room rates.
I’m sorry – I completely misunderstood this post!! Saying that, I do agree with Frequent Flyer Bob.
J.
I am definitely not staying at any Marriott hotel unless it is Absolutely Necessary, which it generally isn’t. Of course they won’t turn down a gay/lesbian customer – that is mostly illegal.
Their financial support of DOMA is a losing proposition at this point, but it’s still relevant. And, Tech Trainer, Proposition 8 was the ANTI-gay stance. It passed, barely, mainly because of huge sums from out-of-state (CA).
Income from Marriott Hotels still gets to the pockets of the Mormon Church. So while I commend the Marriott Hotels stance, I am still reluctant to support Marriott knowing that I ultimately am also supporting the Mormon Church, whose continual anti-gay policies are well documented.
I’ll bet there was some fervent discussion in the boardroom between the elders aka “Why did we fund Proposition 8 in the first place if now we’re doing this?”