Apple come out, say no to prop 8

David M Williams
Saturday, 25 October 2008 07:13

IT Industry - Strategy

Apple have publicly come out, opposing Proposition 8 which is a hot potato in Californian general election politics right now. What's more, they've put their money where their mouth is donating $100,000 to the "No on 8" campaign. What is prop 8 and why has it sent this technology company all fruity?

Those who haven't changed the Safari home page on the brand spanking new single-piece-of-aluminium MacBooks will have been greeted today with the news that Apple says "No" on prop 8.

Apple say, "Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees' same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights - including the right to marry - should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8."

Proposition 8 is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot and is titled "Eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry."

If this proposition is passed it would change the California Constitution to repeal this possibility, which is presently a legal entitlement. A new section would be added stating "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

As you might imagine, the arguments for and against this proposition have been mincing their way through the news. Advocates for the Proposition to succeed include primarily religious bodies such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormons.

Opponents include all ten of California's largest state newspapers, a number of educational bodies and, what may seem batty to some, the tech giants of Apple and Google, with Google having previously announced a similar line to Apple that this is a matter of equality.

Apple's stance has been described by the anti-Prop 8 rear guard as "fabulous."

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