According to a recent press release, Nike has created the Nike Equality PAC in order to raise funds to support winning marriage equality in Oregon, US. With a starting fund of $280,000, a $100,000 contribution from Nike, Inc. and $180,000 from Nike leaders, employees are also able to choose to donate to the campaign against LGBT discrimination. With the help of Nike-affiliated donors, the company continues to work towards nondiscrimination in the workplace, an unprecedented move that puts Nike at the forefront of Oregon businesses who are standing up for marriage freedom.
Nike has a history of support for employment nondiscrimination, being one of the first companies to extend benefits to same-sex partners 20 years ago, extending those benefits to dependants of domestic partners in 2000. Nike has also supported Oregon’s marriage equality legislation previously, helping secure employment nondiscrimination and civil unions for same-sex partners in 2005. The company also began building business community support for the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative, allowing same-sex marriage in Oregon while protecting religious institutions’ ability to perform marriages consistent with their beliefs. Nike was one of the lead companies to support the end of federal marriage discrimination and recognition of same-sex civil marriage before the US Supreme Court and has consistently received 100% scores from the Human Rights Campaign.
Nike believes that being supportive of marriage equality, specifically inclusion in the workplace, drives diversity and innovation. As a company, Nike has stated that diversity allows them to “attract and retain world class talent”. Therefore, equitable laws are favourable for Oregon businesses. Nike’s leadership of marriage equality in Oregon was followed by support from Adidas America, based in Portland, Oregon.