REI Belays Washington Marriage Campaign

Recreational Equipment, Inc., the venerable Seattle-based retail outfitter and cooperative, is the latest major area business to endorse Referendum 74, the marriage measure on Washington’s November ballot.

“REI is taking a position in support of marriage equality, an issue that is important to the co-op as an inclusive organization and a welcoming place to work and do business,” REI president/CEO Sally Jewell said in a blog post to the co-op’s 11,000 employees.

Despite occasional, ineffective boycott threats by opponents, major businesses and business groups have signed on to the marriage equality cause. If voters approve, Washington will be the seventh state to legalize marriage between same-sex couples.

Amazon.com, Starbucks, Microsoft, Vulcan, and Nike have endorsed marriage equality, as recently did the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.