Levi Strauss Pairs With PG&E to Fight Proposition 8  | News | Advocate.com

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09/27/08-09/29/08
Levi Strauss Pairs With PG&E to Fight Proposition 8

San Francisco-based Levi Strauss & Co. said Thursday that it will cochair with Pacific Gas & Electric a group designed to encourage businesses to oppose California's proposed  gay marriage ban, Proposition 8.

According to the Associated Press, the move is in keeping with the philosophy of Levi Strauss, the first Fortune 500 company to ever offer health benefits to the domestic partners of gay employees. 

In July public utilities company PG&E donated $250,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Levi Strauss has pledged $25,000 to Equality for All, the coalition leading that campaign, company spokesman E.J. Bernacki told the AP.

The companies' support for marriage equality was met on Thursday with a vow of support for the No on 8 campaign from the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, a business advocacy group in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. The organization's board voted "by a significant margin" to oppose the ballot initiative, said its president, Stuart Waldman. "The most eloquent argument we got from an employer is they spend so much on human resources dealing with different benefits under domestic-partnership rules versus married employees," he said. (The Advocate)

Keywords:  California marriage 

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: addicted
    Date posted: 2008-11-04 12:28 AM
    Hometown: Atlanta, GA

    Comment:

    I cant see why people would support a proposition that does not affect a large percentage of the population at all (heterosexuals) and affects the remaining portion only negatively.... Makes no sense to get so riled up about an issue that has no negative influence on anyone, and no effect on you at all...


  • Name: David
    Date posted: 2008-10-25 1:42 AM
    Hometown: CA

    Comment:

    Just heard about this on the news. I am also sending a note to the levi company via their website letting them know I am boycotting there company, and will not buy anything from their company again due to this. I am not against gay people. I am for the principals of marraige. Marriage is and should always be between a man and a woman. Come November 4th, lets hope it will stay that way. YES ON PROP 8!


  • Name: mark
    Date posted: 2008-09-27 8:36 AM
    Hometown: rio de janeiro

    Comment:

    do u think someone has a list of the company's who r supporting the cause for marriage rights? if might be time that we show them our thanks through our wallets, or pocketbooks.


  • Name: Chris Sullivan
    Date posted: 2008-09-26 3:33 PM
    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    Comment:

    I've always loved Levi's and I'm happy to hear of their support. Now where is the support from the diva's whose careers have been kept alive by the GLBT community. Barbra, can you hear me? I mean, you live in CA and have a gay son, what's up? I LOVE your work - but not hearing of you're support of this YET - is a bit disconcerting. Somehow I know you'll come through! But what of - Ms. Bette? Ms. Ross? Ms. Madonna? and the gazillions of other celebrities who are gay or work with other gay people? Where is their support? This is CA - not Mississippi and the level of financial support from Hollywood/CA to date has been woefully inadequate - all things considered.


  • Name: John
    Date posted: 2008-09-26 3:10 PM
    Hometown: Huntsville, AL

    Comment:

    Oh, Levi's forever! I never knew they were the FIRST company to offer DPB's, and that is quite a distinction to me. I can't wait to tell one of my conservative friends who's wearing them "thanks" for supporting gay rights. lol


  • Name: Andre
    Date posted: 2008-09-26 2:40 PM
    Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI

    Comment:

    I haven't worn Levi's in forever, they kind of fell off. Their style and fit just didn't do anything for me; however, they've been a staunch supporter of gay rights and continue to be - maybe it's time I give them a second look.


  • Name: Jim Hayes
    Date posted: 2008-09-26 2:09 PM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    I've always enjoyed my Levi's. Now, more than ever, I wear them with pride! Jim New York, NY 10011


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