Apple throws support behind Houston equal rights initiative
Apple on Friday issued a statement in support of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, also known as Proposition 1 or HERO, a ballot item that seeks to end multiple forms of discrimination in the Texas city.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has on multiple occasions spoken out against discrimination.
Houston Unites, a group working to garner support for HERO, supplied the Houston Business Journal with Apple's statement. The campaign partnered with the Human Rights Campaign to hold a press conference earlier today.
Those in support of HERO say the ordinance protects against employment, housing and other forms of discrimination based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or pregnancy. Detractors, however, claim the initiative offers special privileges to two specific groups that do not qualify as "true" minorities.
Apple has been vocal proponent of equal rights causes, recently using its clout to foster corporate and public policy change. CEO Tim Cook, who came out publicly last year, is especially interested in human rights issues and has on many occasions noted the need for equality in business, government and beyond. The HRC awarded Cook its Visibility Award earlier this month for contributions to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has on multiple occasions spoken out against discrimination.
Houston Unites, a group working to garner support for HERO, supplied the Houston Business Journal with Apple's statement. The campaign partnered with the Human Rights Campaign to hold a press conference earlier today.
Also in attendance at the event was actress Sally Field, while political heavyweights like President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton offered statements in support.Apple is proud to be a part of Houston with four stores that employ over 500 people. Our stores and our company are open to everyone, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, how they worship or who they love. Apple supports Proposition 1 as it sends a clear message that Houston is focused on a future of inclusion, diversity and continued prosperity.
Those in support of HERO say the ordinance protects against employment, housing and other forms of discrimination based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or pregnancy. Detractors, however, claim the initiative offers special privileges to two specific groups that do not qualify as "true" minorities.
Apple has been vocal proponent of equal rights causes, recently using its clout to foster corporate and public policy change. CEO Tim Cook, who came out publicly last year, is especially interested in human rights issues and has on many occasions noted the need for equality in business, government and beyond. The HRC awarded Cook its Visibility Award earlier this month for contributions to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Comments
Awesome another thread on social issues.
Awesome another thread on social issues.
because it exists.
imagine how much more you and those around you could accomplish—in a lifetime—if you didn't have to spend so much time of your workday being fearful and bigoted. those things just get in the way.
As I am neither from Houston, nor do I know HERO or their opponents... Is this a quiz, and where do the answers go? While on it, what hogwash are "false minorities"? The expression makes no sense whatsoever.
because it exists.
imagine how much more you and those around you could accomplish—in a lifetime—if you didn't have to spend so much time of your workday being fearful and bigoted. those things just get in the way.
Imagine how much you would accomplish if you didn't go around calling people fearful and bigots without any facts to back up that pathetic statement.
Woo woo
Jobs would be ticked. He tried very hard to keep Apple neutral in such matters and allow it be what it simply is: a producer of the best products in the world.
Jobs would be ticked. He tried very hard to keep Apple neutral in such matters and allow it be what it simply is: a producer of the best products in the world.
No, Steve Jobs did not try "to keep Apple neutral in such matters." In 2008, with Steve Jobs as CEO, Apple made a statement in opposition to California's Proposition 8 (the anti-gay-marriage legislation later struck down by the courts as unconstitutional), saying, "Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8." Apple later donated $100,000 to the “No on 8” campaign.
While Apple under Tim Cook has become more active in opposing morally reprehensible opposition to equal rights, it's hardly a vast departure from Apple under Steve Jobs.
*grabs popcorn*
If you don't like Tim Cook's leadership of Apple, sell your shares and stop buying Apple's products.
While Apple under Tim Cook has become more active in opposing morally reprehensible opposition to equal rights, it's hardly a vast departure from Apple under Steve Jobs.
The problem with these liberal lefties approach to 'equal rights' is that they are not equal they just tip the balance of favour the opposite way
if you didn’t have to spend so much time of your workday being fearful and bigoted...
So stop trying to steal my freedom of speech and shut up about things that don’t matter in the workplace. How’s that sound? I’m already discriminated against. I don’t need more of it.
Equality is a social construct. Marxists need to get that through their skulls.
More than you know.
Sexuality, gender, age and all of the other factors covered don't matter in the workplace, so damn right they should be protected from discrimination and dickwads who use their freedom of speech to act like dickwads.
Wonder what Steve Jobs would say about Tim using his Apple platform to focus on social issues.
Jobs told Tim cook to do what he thought was best, and not to run Apple like he would. Jobs gave Tim Cook the green light to do stuff like this. Apple is an inspiration toward positive social change to a lot of people, myself included, and this is a net positive for Apple's business now and especially in the long run.
The problem with these liberal lefties approach to 'equal rights' is that they are not equal they just tip the balance of favour the opposite way
Christian nuts are not being discriminated against. It's just that the minority of the population (as Christians make up a large majority) don't like the hypocritical value system many so-called Christians maintain. Gay people, for example, would not discriminate against such idiots, for example if said Christian nut were the right person for the job they'd give them the job whilst not agreeing with that person or maybe even not liking that person. That's the difference. A Christian nut would not give a Gay person a job because of said disagreement with 'moral' systems, and that by definition is discrimination. Not liking somebody is NOT discrimination. That is called just being butthurt. So maybe you have more in common with Tim Cook than you're willing to admit.
The problem with these liberal lefties approach to 'equal rights' is that they are not equal they just tip the balance of favour the opposite way
There's no problem with the way that liberals approach equal rights. Your false claim is typical, right-wing, victim-speak.
Here is the complete text of the HERO ordinance: https://www.houstontx.gov/equal_rights_ordinance.pdf
In what way does that ordinance reduce the rights of any citizens or grant additional rights to the protected minorities?
So stop trying to steal my freedom of speech and shut up about things that don’t matter in the workplace. How’s that sound?
Your "freedom of speech" does not extend to making the workplace a hostile environment for your coworkers whose ethnicities, religions, gender identities, and sexual preferences differ from yours.
Quote:
I’m already discriminated against.
By whom and in what ways?
Since much of what they are asking for here is already protected then why even bother with this ordinance? It will do nothing constructive and just increase the discord with minority groups.