var addthis_config = {“data_track_addressbar”:true};Internal Battle At Overstock? CEO Supports Same-Sex Marriage, Board Member Formed A PAC That Opposes It — And It’s Causing Waves
Fourteen years ago last week I moved into a small Hell’s Kitchen apartment in New York City. Almost four years ago my boyfriend joined me and my 95-pound Black Lab. After a year or so we added another dog — a 25-pound Pointer-Terrier — to our happy, tiny home.
Now married, and after a year or so of toying with moving to a larger home in a quieter section of Manhattan, we finally found a nice building downtown that would allow more than one dog. (Manhattan is a very dog-friendly town, but landlords often have limits on breed, size, and quantity.)
We’ve been saving our wedding presents — a lot of Cuisinart — for the new place, but it’s time for our furniture and just about everything else to get replaced.
I spent weeks glancing at Overstock.com for dozens of things to furnish our new home. Their prices are ridiculously cheap. Being a full-time blogger means my income is in the Overstock.com range, so they’d probably be perfect for our budget.
And then I learned that the executive vice chairman of Utah-based Overstock.com is working against my civil rights.
Mormon Church-owned Deseret News, which covers Utah, this weekend published an article claiming the “majority of Utahns do not support same-sex marriage, believe the decision on marriage should rest with individual states, and say if gay marriage were legal, Utah should pass laws to protect places of worship from having to perform weddings for gay and lesbian couples.”
Which is odd, since their competitor just published a poll that finds Utahans evenly-split, 48-48 on marriage.
“If same-sex marriage were legal in Utah, 72 percent said laws should be passed to protect churches, synagogues and other places of worship from having to perform same-sex marriages. Twenty-two percent said no such laws are needed,” Deseret News claims:
Jonathan Johnson, executive vice chairman of the online retailer Overstock.com and founder of the First Freedom PAC, said it’s shocking to him that some people think churches don’t need protection. He started the political action committee to combat what he sees as an assault on the First Amendment and to preserve the role of churches and religious associations in society.
“It makes me feel like if a same-gender couple goes to an orthodox Jewish rabbi and says, ‘Marry us in your synagogue,’ the 22 percent would say he has to say yes,” he said.
“I’m surprised that anyone thinks that the government should force religions to do things,” he said. “But because the religious liberties issue today is so tied to the same-sex marriage issue, I can see why it’s a sore spot for people.”
The Overstock.com executive vice chairman’s First Freedom PAC says the “Supreme Court’s DOMA decision was an affront to the religious convictions of tens of millions of Americans. The Obama Administration has been a constant battering ram on the conscience of individuals, businesses, religious organizations, and even the military.”
Who knew that the Obama Administration got to decide SCOTUS rulings?
“First Freedom PAC seeks to preserve the right of religious organizations to exercise and practice their beliefs free from government coercion and intrusion.”
Johnson of course is fear-mongering. The U.S. Constitution is so clear, it’s impossible to force churches or synagogues — or any religious cleric, like a priest or rabbi — to marry a same-sex couple.
Further, every state that has adopted marriage equality has included language to ensure religious institutions are “protected” from that very scenario.
Of course, an overwhelming number of churches and other religious institutions are happy to marry same-sex couples, so that religious freedom door swings both ways, Mr. Johnson.
Meanwhile, it turns out, Overstock’s CEO is now facing a PR battle, because he is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage.
Patrick Byrne (image, top), Overstock’s CEO and founder, took to Twitter to post articles from 2013 detailing his support of marriage equality.
I’m proud of @overstock‘s longstanding support of #marriageequality http://t.co/9mdKsOAFzQ
— Patrick M. Byrne (@OverstockCEO) January 20, 2014
Here’s an excerpt from the Salt Lake Tribune:
Company founder Patrick Byrne said Thursday that Overstock will provide a “substantial” sum to help fund the lawsuit and will work to encourage additional financial support from others. Byrne said the state’s stance on same-sex marriage is an impediment to economic development. Utah’s reputation as a great place live and be an entrepreneur, he said, is marred by its role in the national debate on gay rights.
Byrne said he hears concerns “over and over” from potential out-of-state job applicants about what it is like to live in Utah and its stance on equality.
He recalled that more than a decade ago, after his company hired its first openly gay employee, Overstock executives took “about five seconds” before making a commitment to having the most “rainbow-friendly” workplace in the state. The company provides full benefits to same-sex couples, makes special accommodations for transgender employees and provides diversity education to all workers.
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Byrne may be defending Johnson by trying to find common ground, but he’s wholly ignoring Johnson’s PAC that slams the SCOTUS DOMA decision.
Jonathan’s position on the 1st Amendment isn’t at odds with Overstock’s support of #marriageequality. http://t.co/EhpQWFPbCv
— Patrick M. Byrne (@OverstockCEO) January 20, 2014
So, will we shop at Overstock?
We’ll see.