Kmart Exec Officially Resigns to Join California Marriage Fight

The former chief marketing officer for Kmart, Bill Stewart, officially joined the Equality for All campaign to help defeat a proposed California constitutional amendment on the ballot this November that intends to ban same-sex marriage.

Stewart recently resigned from his executive position at Sears Holdings, Kmart's parent, where he earned a six-figure salary and had stock options and opportunities for bonuses. He has signed on to work as an unpaid volunteer with the Equality for All, a coalition of gay advocacy groups dedicated to defending same-sex marriage and defeating the marriage amendment in California.

About 50 groups are members of the coalition. Prominent members are the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Equality California, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Stewart made the decision to change careers after attending a GLAAD national board meeting in Los Angeles in early June regarding the looming threat to same-sex marriage.

If voters approve the ballot measure, same-sex weddings would no longer be performed in California, and marriages that have already occurred might be voided. (The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (5) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Cheryl Lynne Oropal
Date posted: 7/4/2008 2:20:00 AM
Hometown: Southbury, CT

Comment:
I'm a transgender woman and I already shop at southbury and in fact , the girls all know me there as , pardon me, " town tranni-girl ". for the most part, I find that the plus sized section most often has almoset whatever I like in clothes[ the only exception, since sears took over, I have had no luck finding my cute little denim mini- skirts ] so I do not mind seeing the guy's former place of employment mentioned . otherwise, I think what he did is awesome to the max! I'm consideing a move to the west coast area, resonably affordable CA near redding-yreka area, or maybe oregon; and so, hope that this passes!
Back to top
Name: Daphne
Date posted: 7/3/2008 3:08:00 PM
Hometown: CT

Comment:
Ani has a point. The fact that 'Kmart' was in the headline did pique my interest about the relationship between "it" and marriage equality, only to find 'Kmart' should never have been mentioned. Those of us fighting for equal rights would be much better off to examine behaviors independent of which side of the fence it comes from, and speak out against distortion and dishonesty where ever it surfaces. Equality goes both ways - same rights AND same responsibilities.
Back to top
Name: LAgaydad
Date posted: 7/3/2008 12:50:00 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles 'burbs

Comment:
I'd have to disagree with Ani from Houston...when reading the article, at no time did i ever assume that Kmart/Sears was supporting/non supporting gay marriage. This is an article about a human being (no sexuality label in the article either) who feels that gay marriage is so important to our community that he willing left a 6 figure income (with stock options) etc to work for free to our cause. Ani, my friend, get off the cross, we need the wood!
Back to top
Name: Ani
Date posted: 7/3/2008 10:10:00 AM
Hometown: Houston

Comment:
isn't it a bit irresponsible, journalistically speaking, to all but imply that Kmart is in full support of Same Sex Marriage just because the chief marketing officer is? Particularly by using the Kmart Logo for the story. Whether or not Kmart is in full support of these rights that needs to be made clear.
Back to top
Name: Jon
Date posted: 7/3/2008 9:05:00 AM
Hometown: Utah

Comment:
Well I will be shopping at Kmart when ever I can now.

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.

News Features Where's Mitrice?

Mitrice Richardson is a 4.0 student, a former beauty pageant contestant, and a lesbian. She’s also been missing since September, and her family and girlfriend want answers.

Theater Seat Filler

The Advocate’s queen on the New York theater scene meets bisexual conjoined twins, pits Sienna Miller against Jude Law, tastes Cheyenne Jackson’s Rainbow, and saves up for a rainy day with Hugh Jackman.

Art Fairey Good

Controversial artist Shepard Fairey spends his creative capital to bring marriage equality back to California.

Books Hot Sheet: Brüno, Ms. Jackson, and 2012

We'll let you decide whether 2012 is spectacular, Armageddon-tinged eye candy or a hot mess. Plus: A new take on gay romance with Dare.

Television Driving Miss Wanda

Love her or loathe her, drag queen Porsche sidekicks The Wanda Sykes Show into shape.

Film Crazy Like a Fox

Hipster actor Jason Schwartzman gets schooled on his gay fans and the Hollywood closet and reveals why he’s never played a gay role.

Television Viki Victorious?

Soap icon and six-time Emmy Award winner Erika Slezak talks about the trials and tribulation of playing Victoria Lord and her run for mayor, gay rights, and the sudden death that rocks Llanview.

Commentary Called to Serve

The military continues to operate under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which even the Pentagon says is unsubstantiated. As General McChrystal asks for more troops in Afghanistan, one gay Navy vet offers his service to his country in spite of the policy that would deny him.

News Features Marriage Foe Tied to Pro-Gay Companies
Ford Motor Co. and Reynolds American, two companies that receive consistently high marks from the HRC, have ties with Schubert Flint Public Affairs, the firm that was instrumental in defeating marriage equality in California and Maine.

News Features A Few Good Men

In honor of Veteran's Day, two of the most famous gay vets -- Frank Kameny and Dan Choi -- share their letters from Uncle Sam.