Professional sports teams are coming out in support of same-sex marriage, and the New England Patriots are among those leading the charge.
The Patriots, San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Rays are among hundreds of large corporations filing legal briefs in the Supreme Court, urging the court to remove the remaining state bans on same-sex marriage. The corporations argue that the current laws negatively affect their business and perpetuate an environment of inequality.
Gay marriage currently is legal in 37 states, including Washington, D.C. The Patriots play their home games in Massachusetts, the first state to allow same-sex couples to marry.
Rays president Brian Auld stressed the importance of his team making its voice heard on the issue.
“We’re a small but visible business, and I actually think it’s important that we send this signal of inclusion to the entire region,” Auld said, via The Associated Press.
Giants president Larry Baer echoed Auld’s sentiments.
“San Francisco is the epicenter of the marriage equality movement, and it is only fitting that its professional sports team would join in this effort,” Baer said in a statement, via CBS SF Bay Area. “The San Francisco Giants are proud to sign the brief because it speaks directly to our core values of equality and social justice for all.”
The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments for the states of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee on April 28 and make a final ruling by the summer.
Thumbnail photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
