ExxonMobil shareholders increase support for gay, gender issues, but vote remains too short
“Our conversations with management never went anywhere…. Gay and lesbian employees can still be fired for being themselves at Exxon, unfortunately.”
Trevor Thomas, a spokesperson for Human Rights Campaign, speaking about the need to turn to “shareholder activism” in the quest to get the energy giant, ExxonMobil, to adopt protections for GLBT employees. It is said that the measure has been introduced every year since 2000, and that the May 28, 2008 vote received nearly 39.6% approval which is far higher than the 8.2% approval it reportedly received in 2000. (Fox Business)
“ExxonMobil continues to have the dubious distinction of being the only Fortune 50 company that refuses to add sexual orientation and gender identity to their non-discrimination policy, and is stuck in the ever-shrinking minority of businesses that don’t offer domestic partner benefits… It is irresponsible for ExxonMobil to ignore overwhelming shareholder support and not to join the majority of companies that provide equal protections and benefits to all families.”
Joe Solmonese, HRC President, quoted in a press release following the ExxonMobil vote “to add ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ to the company’s official equal employment opportunity policy.” (HRC.org)
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