EA

Electronic Arts has joined a coalition of American businesses opposing the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

The game publisher said in a statement Wednesday that it was joining dozens of business in signing an amicus brief that urges the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to find the 1996 law unconstitutional. In part, the statement reads:

DOMA presents a number of problems for businesses like EA, as it creates regulatory, tax, and discrimination complications for employers, and that's why we're standing against it. The underlying lawsuit impacts all employers no matter how big or small, and no matter the industry, and we encourage other business to join these efforts.

EA is no stranger to advocacy for same-sex relationships. The Redwood City, Calif.-based company ignited controversy in April when it announced it would add characters in same-sex relationships and plot lines to its multiplayer online role-playing game Star Wars: The Old Republic. Anti-gay conservative groups such as the Florida Family Association and the Family Research Council accused the game maker of buckling to pressure from "queer activists."

In 2010, EA employees also contributed to the It Gets Better Project, a collection of inspirational video messages appealing to LGBT teens to address bullying and help prevent suicide. EA joined employees at tech leaders Apple, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo in adding videos sharing their own stories about growing up gay and others lending words of encouragement.

Their contribution to the national movement is embedded here:

[Via SlashGear]