OIL SLICK

ExxonMobil Shareholders Vote Down LGBT Anti-Discrimination Policy

On Wednesday, ExxonMobil shareholders voted overwhelmingly to reject adding sexual orientation and gender presentation to the company’s nondiscrimination policies, according to the Dallas Voice. The final tally was 80% against to 20% in favor.

So much for boosting the company’s -25 rating on HRC’s Corporate Responsibility Index.

Though Mobil was once of the first corporations to offer benefits to same-sex partners and include sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination order, the policy was rescinded when the company merged with Exxon in 2009.

More than 50 demonstrators were lined up outside the shareholders’ meeting in Dallas’ Arts District, showing their support for LGBT rights, including members of Occupy Dallas, United Steel Workers and GetEqual. “They’re clinging to antiquated business practices,” GetEqual’s Daniel Cates said of ExxonMobil. “It’s a matter of really learning that this is good for business.”

They might learn sooner rather than later, as the Voice points out:

This year, the resolution was initiated by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who wants the company to not only amend the nondiscrimination policy, but also to begin offering health benefits to the spouses of employees married in the Empire State.

The comptroller controls the state’s pension funds. As of May 18, New York’s pension fund held more than 16 million shares of ExxonMobil worth more than $1 billion.

What’s the expression? Oh yeah: Money talks and bullshit walks.

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