Turn your attention to almost any of the major media outlets and you’ll find coverage of Canberra Airport’s stunning (and quite beautiful) proclamation of support for marriage equality.

With another bill on the subject to be introduced to the Federal Parliament this week, this seemed a bold and brash statement from an industry that does not typically get involved in politics nor try to effect social change.

Stephen Byron, Managing Director of Canberra Airport put it pretty simply. “We are attempting to highlight the deep, positive and strong feelings of the vast majority of the community in support of equality.

“Equality of same sex relationships is an issue that is very important for Canberra Airport – not only because we believe that equality is an essential right for our whole community but also because it has a particular personal significance for our family.

“My brother, Tom Snow, and his husband were married last year in New Zealand with their children and our extended family as witnesses. It struck me at this time how ridiculous it is that my relationship, and my wife and children are afforded the protection and support of our government, yet Tom and his family are forced to travel overseas to get married.”

So, is Canberra Airport alone in its stance for marriage equality?  It appears not. In fact, over 500 companies in Australia have put their names to the movement for change.

To be this vocal makes sense. Looking across a number of surveys, its fair to say that around 3% of people identify within LGBTI categories. Not only do you need only thirty-odd employees to statistically employ one of these people, they also make up a percentage of your customers.

By being so vocal about support for marriage equality, it also taps into a growing movement within the general population that considers this issue worth resolving.  It’s simply good brand alignment!  By promoting marriage equality through your business, social media channels and you’re likely to be on the winning side… if not this week in parliament, then almost certainly before too long.