Telstra backs out of supporting gay marriage (Aust)

Telstra backs out of supporting gay marriage after ‘pressure from Catholic Church’
MailOnline 13 April 2016
Family First Comment: Well said Telstra – the way every company should go – respecting the people. ‘The Government has committed to putting same-sex marriage before the Australian people in a plebiscite and, ultimately, it will be Parliament who determines any changes to the institution of marriage. In view of this Telstra has no further plans to figure prominently in the wider public debate.’ #respect
An Australian telecommunications company has withdrawn their support for marriage equality after pressure from the Catholic Church.
Telstra, who was involved in a public campaign for same-sex marriage in 2015, has ‘no further plans to figure prominently in the wider public debate’, according to a spokesman.
Their withdrawal of support came after Archdiocese of Sydney business manager Michael Digges threatened to boycott a number of companies that supported same-sex marriage, The Australian reported.
‘You may be aware that the Catholic archdiocese of Sydney is a significant user of goods and services from many corpor­ations, both local and inter­national,’ Mr Digges wrote in a letter to a number of corporations.
‘Undoubtedly, many of the Catholic population of Sydney would be your employees, customers, partners and suppliers.
‘It is therefore with grave concern that I write to you about the Marriage Equality for Australians campaign.’
A Telstra spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia said while the company places ‘great importance on diversity’, it would no longer engage in the debate publicly.
‘Telstra has demonstrated it places great importance on diversity and standing against discrimination, in all its forms.
‘Our workforce reflects this diversity, including people of same-sex in a broad range of relationships.
‘The Government has committed to putting same-sex marriage before the Australian people in a plebiscite and, ultimately, it will be Parliament who determines any changes to the institution of marriage.
‘In view of this Telstra has no further plans to figure prominently in the wider public debate,’ the spokesperson said.
READ MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3536867/Telstra-backs-supporting-gay-marriage-pressure-Catholic-Church.html?login#readerCommentsCommand-message-field

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