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NY's Business Leaders Want Marriage Equality, Too
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 29, 2011
Modified Apr 29, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 29, 2011
Modified Apr 29, 2011
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Those pushing to bring marriage equality to New York State can now count 25 of New York's business leaders on their side. Today a group including Lloyd Blankfein (Goldman Sachs), Jerry Speyer (Tishman Speyer), John Mack (Morgan Stanley) and Mort Zuckerman have released an open letter to Albany discussing the importance of marriage equality in attracting quality businesses and workers: "Increasingly, in an age where talent determines the
economic winners, great states and cities must demonstrate a commitment to creating an open, healthy and equitable environment in which to live and work."
The letter, which was sent by Republicans and Democrats, comes as gay rights organizations (and popular Governor Andrew Cuomo) are preparing a serious push in Albany to allow gay men and lesbians to marry each other. Here's the full letter:
April 28, 2011
New York has rich resources that position our state for continued success in the 21st century - a leading financial center, strong industry clusters, and renowned educational, research and cultural institutions. But major employers know that the single greatest asset New York has to offer is its ability to attract the best talent from around the world. This is crucial, because the size, quality and diversity of the talent pool are the first criteria for business in determining where to locate jobs.
To remain competitive, New York must continue to contend with other world cities to attract top talent. Increasingly, in an age where talent determines the economic winners, great states and cities must demonstrate a commitment to creating an open, healthy and equitable environment in which to live and work.
This is why it is so important that New York State grant full rights to all of its citizens by passing marriage equality. As other states, cities and countries across the world extend marriage rights regardless of sexual orientation, it will become increasingly difficult to recruit the best talent if New York cannot offer the same benefits and protections.
Many employers have adopted non-discrimination policies and extended domestic partner benefits long before most cities and states passed them into law. As New Yorkers and business leaders, we believe that attracting talent is key to our state’s economic future. We strongly urge New York State to enact marriage equality legislation to help maintain our competitive advantage in attracting the best and brightest people the world has to offer and to reaffirm our commitment to both freedom and fairness.
Candace K. Beinecke
Tom A. Bernstein
Lloyd C. Blankfein
Kevin Burke
Philippe P. Dauman
Daniel L. Doctoroff
Patrick C. Dunican, Jr.
Thomas Glocer
Jonathan N. Grayer
Klaus Kleinfeld
Rochelle B. Lazarus
Daniel S. Loeb
John J. Mack
Alan J. Patricof
Ronald O. Perelman
William C. Rudin
Kevin P. Ryan
Paul E. Singer
Jerry I. Speyer
Jes Staley
Stuart Match Suna
Kathryn S. Wylde
Strauss Zelnick
Mortimer B. Zuckerman
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Albany
gay marriage
marriage equality
new york state
Garth Johnston
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