The Coca-Cola Company is among 379 businesses that have signed a "friend of the court" brief expressing support for marriage equality in response to cases pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief explains that laws that prohibit same-sex marriage hamper businesses’ ability to recruit and retain the most talented workforce possible. The brief also details concerns about administrative burdens and government-mandated regulations that undermine our Diversity and Inclusion policies.

Other companies that have signed onto the brief include Delta Air Lines, Cox Enterprises, Apple, Nike, P&G, Google, Amazon, Starbucks, Walt Disney, American Express, and General Electric. The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in the case in April, and a decision is likely in the summer.

The Coca-Cola Company developed the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court brief: 

“As a believer in an inclusive world, The Coca-Cola Company values and celebrates diversity. We have long been a strong supporter of the LGBT community and have advocated for inclusion, equality and diversity through both our policies and practices. 

“The Coca-Cola Company is one of 379 businesses expressing its support for marriage equality to the U.S. Supreme Court, as laws that prohibit same-sex marriage hamper businesses’ ability to recruit and retain the most talented workforce possible. The success of our business is directly linked to the diversity of our associates as well as our consumers.

“As a business, it is our role and our responsibility to ensure that we embrace human rights practices in our own workplaces.  It is also appropriate for us to help foster diversity, tolerance, unity and respect among all people.”