Minnesota Companies Stay on Gay Marriage Sideline

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Most Fortune 500 companies that call Minnesota home have records of supporting gay rights, but that's not translating into opposition to the gay marriage amendment on next year's ballot.

The Associated Press contacted the 13 Fortune 500 companies in Minnesota that offer domestic partner benefits. Only one revealed plans to take a public stand on either side of the vote to ban gay marriage in the state constitution. A spokeswoman for Little Canada-based St. Jude Medical says the company views the amendment as not in the best interest of jobs and economic growth.

Representatives of eight companies say their firms won't weigh in. That includes Target, General Mills and others with a history of supporting gay causes. Representatives of the other four didn't respond to several inquiries.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)