Marriott CEO: Anti-'gay' laws are not OK

Marriott CEO: Anti-'gay' laws are not OK

'We shouldn't judge people by ... who they love, what gender they identify with'

Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International

http://www.wnd.com/2016/04/major-hotel-ceo-anti-gay-laws-are-not-ok/

For Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International, it was an “easy call” when it came time to voice his opinion on North Carolina’s HB2, the nation’s first state law limiting the bathroom options for transgender people.

The law also excludes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from anti-discrimination protections, and blocks municipalities from adopting their own anti-discrimination and living wage rules.

NOTE: Readers wishing to contact Marriott International may do so here.

In first-person opinion piece on CNBC, Sorenson wrote: “I was asked to join a group of American business leaders and CEOs in opposing North Carolina’s HB2, a bill passed recently that sanctions LGBT discrimination across that state.

“For Marriott and for me, this was an easy call. The law does not reflect our values or a basic principle that helps drive new jobs and economic growth in North Carolina and beyond: Everyone deserves to be welcome. We are disappointed with the unusual speed that was given to passing and signing this legislation into law, undoubtedly an attempt to minimize public outcry.

“Undeterred, I’m pleased to see that we are aligned with civil rights advocates, as well as most of the state’s top employers and job creators in calling for HB2 to be repealed. We’ve also heard a chorus of objections from major sporting leagues and organizers of popular North Carolina events, like the upcoming High Point Market Week that celebrates the state’s outstanding furnishings and design industry. At Marriott, we are also hearing from concerned customers and local employees.”

Read WND’s related story: The BIG LIST of ‘gayest’ companies in America

Sorenson explains how he prefers to “work in a spirit of collaboration” with state policy makers to generate better economic dividends. “Mutual respect and open discourse encourage all parties involved to craft reasonable solutions to real challenges,” he wrote, adding that “It’s regrettable that did not occur in North Carolina. We have seen this happen elsewhere, where haste and political expediency produce laws that ultimately diminish a state’s reputation along with its appeal for tourism, job creation and economic activity. I hope more state leaders will learn from these missteps.”

Sorenson says there’s another path, and “state law need not discriminate against one group to protect another. … It dismays many of us that, in 29 states, people are still at risk of losing their job just for being gay or transgender.”

Sorenson regrets “we do not yet have a federal law banning employment discrimination or discrimination in the provision of public accommodations that includes protection for LGBT people” and explains this is “exactly why Marriott recently joined with scores of American business leaders to endorse Congressional passage of the Equality Act – which for the first time, will set uniform, federal protections in place that include sexual orientation and gender identity.”

He concludes by stating, “America’s promise is clear. Our nation strives to provide equal opportunity, no matter who you are. Most Americans today understand that we shouldn’t judge people by how they worship, who they love, what gender they identify with or by their wealth, nationality, race, sex, age or physical abilities.

“To be competitive in the world today, America needs everyone’s skills. Including LGBT people in that effort is not simply the right thing to do, it’s also essential for business.

NOTE: Readers wishing to contact Marriott International may do so here.

Marriott International Inc.

Arne M. Sorenson is the president & CEO for Marriott International Inc., and a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Note: Kathleen Matthews was the EVP for Marriott International Inc., and is a director at the Economic Club of Washington.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. was the president of the Economic Club of Washington, is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle, a director at the American Friends of Bilderberg (think tank), and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

David M. Rubenstein is the president of the Economic Club of Washington, and a co-chairman for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank), the Robin Hood Foundation, the International Rescue Committee, and the Aspen Institute (think tank).   

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Lee H. Hamilton is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, and David F. Hamilton’s uncle.

Mitt Romney was a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, is a director at Marriott International Inc., and a friend of Stephen A. Schwarzman.

Stephen A. Schwarzman is a friend of Mitt Romney, and a resident at 740 Park Avenue, New York.

Henry R. Kravis is a resident at 740 Park Avenue, New York, married to Marie-Josee Kravis, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

Marie-Josee Kravis is married to Henry R. Kravis, a director at the American Friends of Bilderberg (think tank), was a director at the Robin Hood Foundation, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

Clifford S. Asness was a leadership council member for the Robin Hood Foundation, supported same-sex marriage in New York, and is a director at the International Rescue Committee.

Winston Bao Lord is an overseer at the International Rescue Committee, and was a 740 Park Avenue, New York resident.

International Rescue Committee is a partner with the ONE Campaign.

Michelle Obama was an advocate for the ONE Campaign, and a lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP.

Barack Obama was an intern at Sidley Austin LLP, and an attorney for ACORN vs. Illinois State Board of Elections.

Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) was the plaintiff in ACORN vs. Illinois State Board of Elections.

David F. Hamilton was a canvasser for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), and is Lee H. Hamilton’s nephew.

Sidley Austin LLP was a legal adviser for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).

Newton N. Minow is a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

R. Eden Martin is counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and the president of the Commercial Club of Chicago.   

Commercial Club of Chicago, Members Directory A-Z (Past Research)

Tuesday, December 17, 2013       

http://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2013/12/commercial-club-of-chicago-members.html

William M. Daley is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, was the chief of staff for the Barack Obama administration, and a trustee at the Third Way.

Daniel S. Loeb was a trustee at the Third Way, and supported same-sex marriage in New York.

Valerie B. Jarrett is Vernon E. Jordan Jr’s great niece, the senior adviser for the Barack Obama administration, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Cyrus F. Freidheim Jr. is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).      

Arne M. Sorenson is a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and the president & CEO for Marriott International Inc.

James S. Crown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and the vice chairman for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Lester Crown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).   

Frederic V. Malek is trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), and was the president of Marriott hotels & resorts for the Marriott Corporation.

Marriott Corporation was the predecessor company before Marriott International Inc.

Shirley M. Hufstedler was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), and a secretary for the U.S. Department of Education.

Kevin Jennings was an assistant deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, and the founder & executive director for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

Diane S. Ravitch was an assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Arne M. Sorenson is a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and the president & CEO for Marriott International Inc.