REUTERSFLASH tweeted and CNBC confirmed that Apple Inc just surpassed Exxon Mobil’s market cap, becoming the largest U.S. publicly traded company. Reuters reported Apple’s market capitalization about $341.4 bln.” The Huffington Post asks: Could Apple become the first $1 Trillion dollars company.
Why should LGBTs care about this development in the otherwise pre-occupied financial markets? Well, maybe – just maybe – this is a “sign” of positive developments ahead for LGBT people. Consider that Apple is an extraordinarily progressive company that welcomes innovation from their LGBT employees. Apple Computer was fourth behind Lotus, Microsoft, Levi Strauss in providing domestic partnership benefits to lesbian and gay employees.
In July 1992, Apple Computer Corporation extended to its employees some domestic partner benefits. In July 1993, expanded this coverage to include all the benefits available to legally married spouses. Apple chairman John Scully described this expansion as consistent with the company’s commitment to diversity and as a model of social responsibility. Apple’s benefits program is one of the most extensive programs available, including support for parents seeking to adopt children, child care and family leave, life insurance, and relocation reimbursement.
ExxonMobile, on the other hand, has been antigay for a long time, a point the Human Rights Campaign notes:
ExxonMobil is the only U.S. employer that has ever rescinded both a non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation and domestic partner benefits, and is the only Fortune 10 company that does not have a non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation.
Disclaimer: I work on an Apple MacBook Pro. But that has nothing to do with my intense desire to GLOAT over Apple overtaking Exxon.
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