McDonald's adds 'sexual orientation' in policies; 'domino effect' feared

                                                                                                                                                                    Vol. XII, No. 5, May 1999 

The McDonald's Corp., the world's leading fast-food retailer, has decided to include homosexuality as a protected classification in its employment and harassment policies, according to a published report. The fast-food giant's decision to include "sexual orientation" in its nondiscrimination and sexual harassment policies was reported in the April 9 issue of The Washington Blade, the District of Columbia's weekly newspaper for homosexuals. "Sexual orientation" is a term that encompasses homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality.

The McDonald's action raises the possibility of a "domino effect" in the fast-food industry, advocates on both sides of the homosexual rights issue acknowledged. Organizations such as FRC, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and the American Family Association oppose the inclusion of "sexual orientation" in employment policies because such an action equates homosexuality with legally protected traits such as race, ethnicity, gender and religion. [BP]