Harrah’s Casinos Lobbies for Nevada Domestic Partnerships

Timothy Kincaid

May 22nd, 2009

In Nevada, Harrah’s Casinos operates

  • Harrah’s Reno
  • Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
  • Harvey’s Lake Tahoe
  • Harrah’s Las Vegas
  • Caesars Palace
  • Paris Las Vegas
  • Rio
  • Flamingo Las Vegas
  • Bally’s Las Vegas
  • Imperial Palace

So it is fair to say that Harrah’s is no small player in the Nevada business community.

Harrah’s makes an effort to target the gay community in it’s marketing, particularly for Paris Las Vegas. And now Harrah’s is adding its power to the fight for rights in Nevada.

The State’s legislature has approved a Domestic Partnership bill providing many of the rights, priveleges and obligations of marriage to same-sex couples. However, anticipating a veto from Governor Jim Doyle Gibbons, supporters are hoping to marshall the votes needed to override the veto. It appears that they will need two more votes in each of the House and the Senate.

So Harrah’s Senior Vice President Jan Jones has written a letter to legislators encouraging them to consider the impact that their vote can have on the state’s ecomony. (Trading Markets)

“Our state cannot afford to lose any more revenue to other destinations because of a reputation as a place which is not socially or politically the right place to do business or to vacation,” Jones stated in the letter, dated Tuesday.

Gays and lesbians have the highest disposable income of any segment of the population, according to Jones.

“Our company does aggressive marketing to this community,” Jones said Wednesday. “How can we say to them ‘we want your business, but we don’t care about your rights.'”

Jones’ concern is not without basis. Gay couples may decide that Atlantic City is their better gambling choice; in case something happens to one of them, New Jersey’s domestic partnership laws provide protection and access to medical facilities.

But in either city, I think I’ll choose Harrah’s for my lodging and gaming.

UPDATE:

Although Harrah’s was the most proactive, they are not alone in their support for Domestic Partnerships (Forbes)

The powerful Nevada Resort Association, representing the state’s biggest hotel-casinos, joined Friday in support of a domestic partnership bill that may be vetoed by Gov. Jim Gibbons.

Bill Bible, head of the association, said the bill would help to ensure the resort industry’s thousands of employees have “the fundamental right to the same benefits enjoyed by other Nevadans.”

Although there is no word yet on whether this has yet changed the vote of any legislator, no Nevada politician wants to be on the wrong side of the largest, most powerful economic and political force in the state.

Ben in Oakland

May 22nd, 2009

oh, the irony.

Bill Bible. :)

mike/

May 22nd, 2009

Las Vegas has always been one of the most friendly LGBTQ places i’ve ever been. the casinos, businesses and most citizens really do believe in “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!”

the state has more important things to deal with – like their economy, duh…

Leave A Comment

All comments reflect the opinions of commenters only. They are not necessarily those of anyone associated with Box Turtle Bulletin. Comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

(Required)
(Required, never shared)

PLEASE NOTE: All comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

 

Latest Posts

The Things You Learn from the Internet

"The Intel On This Wasn't 100 Percent"

From Fake News To Real Bullets: This Is The New Normal

NC Gov McCrory Throws In The Towel

Colorado Store Manager Verbally Attacks "Faggot That Voted For Hillary" In Front of 4-Year-Old Son

Associated Press Updates "Alt-Right" Usage Guide

A Challenge for Blue Bubble Democrats

Baptist Churches in Dallas, Austin Expelled Over LGBT-Affirming Stance

Featured Reports

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.

Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate

When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.

Paul Cameron’s World

In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.

From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”

On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.

Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"

The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths

At last, the truth can now be told.

Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!

And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.

Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?

Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.

Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples

Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.

The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing

Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.

Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

Daniel FettyThe FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.