If you’re a gamer, you probably already know what EA is. But for the sake of those who can’t tell E3 from PAX, Electronic Arts (EA) is the company behind such video games as Medal of Honor, The Sims and the never-ending stream of Madden games. But despite the overly repetitive football games, EA has one saving grace: it’s one of many companies that’s signed an amicus brief in support of marriage equality.
Love or hate EA, you have to admit that when it comes to LGBT rights and same-sex marriages, they’ve taken a strong public position. Whether in the form of an “It Gets Better” video starring EA employees, openly celebrating Pride month, or responding to an anti-homosexual email campaign, the company has refused to back down from a position of equal civil rights for all. Now the games publisher is hoping to put the issue before the Ninth Circut Court of Appeals via an amicus brief asking that the Defense of Marriage Act be overturned as unconstitutional. Under the Defense of Marriage Act, no state or political subdivision is required to recognize a same-sex marriage or union if it occurred in another state. DOMA was passed by a majority of both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 1996. Many legislators, including Clinton himself, have since changed their position and advocated for DOMA’s repeal. (From The Escapist magazine)
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EA has never been one to shy away from gay themes, including gay relationships in the Mass Effect series as well as allowing same-sex marriage in The Sims, but their going on the record in support of gay marriage is still pretty huge for a company in a still very male-centric, heteronormative industry.