Levis is Reaching into its Pockets to Stop Prop 8

Levi Strauss & Co. is digging into its jean pockets in an endeavor to defeat the ballot initiative that would outlaw same-sex marriage in California. That referendum seeks to amend the state constitution to overturn the May state Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage in California.

The San Francisco-based jeans maker said Thursday it will co-chair with Power Company Pacific Gas & Electric a group trying to drum up resistance to Proposition 8 in the business community.

Chief Executive Officer John Anderson said the move is consistent with Levi’s long history of supporting civil rights causes.

In July, PG&E donated $250,000 to the campaign to defeat the gay marriage ban and announced it hoped to persuade other corporations to do the same. Because PG&E is a public utility, though, taking a controversial political stand is less risky for the company than it might be for businesses with greater competition.
Levi Strauss has pledged $25,000 to Equality for All, the coalition leading the No on 8 campaign, says company spokesman E.J. Bernacki. Robert Haas, the company’s chairman emeritus, and his wife have given $100,000, Bernacki said.

Paula Brooks lives in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with her partner, their twin daughters and her hearing helper dog, where they own and operate a vacation home rental business. You can find more info on her Blogger profile here.