Walmart announced to its employees on Tuesday that next year, they'll start offering domestic partners equal benefits, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
In an internal memo emailed to Walmart's 1.3 million workers, the retail giant stated that it had chosen "to offer benefits to an associate's same-or opposite-sex spouse or to an unmarried partner, whether of the same or opposite gender."
Both the United States and Puerto Rico-which will also be included as a domestic partner in the benefit plans, LGBT online publication TowleRoad reported-will receive equal opportunity benefits starting January 1, 2014.
The shift in company policy stemmed from the recent Supreme Court ruling that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional.
"We operate in 50 states, hundreds of municipalities, and Puerto Rico, and as clarified under the Supreme Court's decision regarding DOMA, each of these states are developing different definitions of marriage, domestic partner, civil union, etc.," Walmart wrote in its statement. "By developing a single definition for all Walmart associates in the U.S. and Puerto Rico we are able to ensure consistency for associates in various markets."
Domestic partners will be eligible to receive full benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, discount cards, family leave, 401K, and accident insurance, the email stated.
Walmart has been criticized for its labor practices and security policies in the past, but this victory for LGBT couples might demonstrate that the superstore is trying to move away from reported unfair practices.
On Monday, New Mexico started giving out marriage licenses to same-sex couples. A state judge ruled that the state's law doesn't rule out gay marriage specifically.
