"I am gratified that the S.E.C. has reversed a blatant attempt by ExxonMobil to stifle debate on this important human rights issue," said City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. "Discrimination in any form is unacceptable. Additionally, it does not make economic sense. Shareholders have a right to be heard on this vital issue."

The New York City Employees' Retirement System, one of ExxonMobil's largest single shareholders with more than $480 million in holdings, sponsored a resolution calling for a vote on the matter last Fall. In total, the city's five pension funds have invested more than $1.1 billion in the corporation.

ExxonMobil asked the S.E.C. for permission to keep the measure off the annual meeting's agenda, but the S.E.C. has now rejected that request and sided with the Comptroller's Office.

In 1999, the newly merged Exxon Mobil Corporation ended Mobil's policy formally prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and cancelled domestic partner benefits.

The Comptroller's resolution was cosponsored by eight other shareholders, including the U.S. Unitarian Church and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest gay and lesbian political organization.

"The Securities and Exchange Commission clearly agrees that ExxonMobil has no right to silence its shareholders on this issue," said HRC Education Director Kim I. Mills. "The company has not made the basic change we're seeking. Adding sexual orientation to the written Equal Employment Opportunity policy in ExxonMobil's employee handbook would be a simple solution."

Diane Bratcher, chair of the Equality Project, which has coordinated shareholder campaigns urging companies to bar such discrimination, agreed with the decision.

"ExxonMobil argues that it does so much to avoid discrimination, but it holds back on making a clear commitment to equal employment opportunity for all," Bratcher said. "We call on ExxonMobil to unequivocally commit the company to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation companywide."

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