Publix Super Markets offers health benefits to same-sex couples

A big first for a giant grocery store chain in the South. Starting in January, Publix will give its married gay and lesbian employees health benefits for their spouses.

Publix has stores in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Three of those states -- Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee -- currently ban same-sex marriage.

That doesn't seem to bother the chain. Even in those three states, gay and lesbian employees can get health and dental plans for their spouses if they were married in a different state.

The company's director of media relations told CNN, "It's good business for us to offer benefits to all employees, not just those in the states that recognize it."

In Florida, for example, Publix has a whopping 763 stores. As of Jan. 6, Florida's ban on same-sex marriage might be lifted.

Publix's move is in alignment with the majority of corporate America.

A December 2013 report by the Human Rights Campaign applauded record support of LGBT equality, saying 67 percent of Fortune 500 companies were offering same-sex partner benefits.

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