Shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled bans on same sex marriage were unconstitutional, one of the world's largest polyethylene makers celebrated the ruling.
“A society that strives to foster inclusion, celebrate differences, and respect and welcome everyone enables its citizens and families to thrive, businesses to prosper and economies to grow,” said Howard Ungerleider, chief financial officer of Dow Chemical Co., in a statement.
Ungerleider also is executive sponsor of the company's gay, lesbian and allies group.
“As a matter of equality and human rights, and also a critical business imperative that plays a fundamental role in attracting and retaining the best and brightest team, it is quite simply the right thing to do,” he said in a statement.
Dow is headquartered in Midland, Mich., one of 14 states where same sex marriage was not legal before the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling June 26. The court ordered that same sex marriage be allowed in all 50 states.
Dow said they've offered “best-in-class” polices for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered employees for more than a decade, including extending benefits to same-sex partners. The company also allowed survivor benefits for LGBT colleagues under its pension plan.