Switch Lights

The lights are on

What's Happening

Game Companies Sign On To Oppose DOMA

Electronic Arts, Zynga, and Microsoft have signed on to a brief urging the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to find the law, which outlaws gay marriage, unconstitutional.

The 9th Circuit is currently hearing an appeal to an earlier decision (Golinski vs. the U.S. Office of Personal Management), which found portions of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. In the original case, Karen Golinski won a settlement awarding her employee federal health benefits to her wife. The case is being appealed by a Republican-led group called BLAG (Bi-Partisan Legal Advisory Group).

The game companies involved have signed an amicus brief (a non-binding statement that is admissible based on the court's discretion) that supports the original ruling. Electronic Arts released a statement regarding the decision on its website:

Electronic Arts has joined with dozens of leading US employers in signing an amicus brief that opposes the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and urges the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to find portions of the Act unconstitutional.

DOMA presents a number of problems for businesses like EA, as it creates regulatory, tax, and discrimination complications for employers, and that’s why we’re standing against it. The underlying lawsuit impacts all employers no matter how big or small, and no matter the industry, and we encourage other business to join these efforts.

Other major technology and entertainment companies that have signed on to the brief include Google, eBay, Viacom, and CBS.

Source: Electronic Arts

Email the author , or follow on , and .

Comments
  • great article GI.

  • If only scientists could figure out how to harness the energy of flame wars, we would never have to worry about energy again.
  • I don't hate gays or gay marriage or any of that stuff, but why does this matter to video game companies? I have no problem if two dudes want to lip-lock in public, but how does this get in the way of me gunning down a bunch of other soldiers in a video game?
  • I'm tired of hearing about this already. Even on GI there's rainbows. Let them marry who they want to marry.

  • Do non-Americans even know that in several states in the US gay marriage is legal? At least were making progress, that's much better than most other countries
  • The UK has civil unions, we can to. The think I don't like about gay marriage is the name. It doesn't make sense. Marriage is between man and woman. Just change the name.
  • But the sanctity of marriage and blah blah blah and so. Why do people care who other people marry? What the hell difference does it make, let them be miserable along with everyone else lol.

  • Here's to me never buying anything Microsoft, Zynga, or EA ever again.
  • WTF does this have to do with video gaming, guys? C'mon EA and co. Stay focused on what's important - gaming!
  • Can we stop congratulating these guys like they're doing something "against the grain" to do "what's right as human beings"?  I mean, yeah it's nice that they're against the DOMA thing too, but it'd be REALLY stupid of them to go the opposite way, and supporting it is about the easiest way to free good publicity as I can think of.

    And can we please never post a story on this kind of touchy subject again?  It's only tangentially related to gaming and I HATE seeing my precious comment section turn into a ****storm.

  • I was all set to be proud of the gaming industry for being on the right side of social history, come to find out their reason for opposing DOMA is that the law is inconvenient and expensive for them to abide by. I suppose there's a certain amount of wisdom for a corporation to keep out of social issues, but it would have been refreshing to see one of them - or several - take a stand against discrimination on principal. Ah well, whatever helps get it done, I guess.

  • It doesn't matter how people feel about it, it is unconstitutional to deny those rights. When people push for or enforce anti gay marriage agendas they are pushing their belief systems on those who might not share it with them. Ironic that we do this yet get so up in arms about Islam...

  • i still dont see how this is relevent to gaming...somethings shouldnt be mixed up....i just wanna play my game, i dont wanna be mixed up in thingas i dont care about while gaming...i couldnt careless for gay marriage so off my games please.

  • Even though they are opposing this just to cover their asses in discrimination cases, avoid regulation, and taxes, in this case, the "why" doesn't matter. So good for all those companies that are involved.

  • Good for EA and Microsoft, etc.

    Every hateful Christian on here needs to :):):):):):):): and realize that we don't live in the Middle East or any religiously-controlled country. We live in the United States of America, and while hating gays in wrong in the Christian Bible of Hate, that kind of bigotry is not in the Constitution.

  • Sometimes boys like boys. Sometimes girls like girls. Its sad that after all this evolving we have done as a species that this is still a major issue for some people. Deal with it.

    Glad this decision will help to promote equality, but really MS/EA/Zynga are just protecting themselves as employers.

  • Look this is simple as long as your not hurting anyone or interfearing with anyones rights you should do what makes you happy and nobody should tell you otherwise. People should stop getting into other peoples lives if two gay men or women want to get married thats their life live your own. If it bothers you that much seek help you have deep issues that need attention.

  • I don't care if your gay, straight, white, or black. If your nice to me I'll be nice to you. Its as simple as that.
  • To reiterate my previous comments why the *** does anybody care?  I mean *** I just don't find this news worthy on GIO or any other news distributor.

  • It's America, we have the right to support or oppose whatever we please, leagal or not. Winning or losing aside, if you can't tolerate someone's love or hate, you can A. Try to tolereate te things they have that you actually agree with, or B. Leave them alone and do nothing or oppose what they do or don't support rather than them personally.
    If you hate someone for what they think you're not really much better than them.
    Get over your hate hate and support your cause without pointing fingers.

    I don't care what you Do, but what you do about it, if you're a good person, then I'm happy, bat an angry jerk, go elsewhere. Good that the companies support this, but it isn't worth arguing that someone's better or worse than anyone else about it.
Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next ... Last