I had been wondering why Americablog hasn't been updated since this morning. Normally they have regular posts throughout the day.
Then I just came across this news item on yahoo news.
CEO: Microsoft to Support Gay-Rights BillMake no mistake. This is a direct slap to the Christian right wing. One of the largest, and most important corporations in the world has affirmed their belief in equality.
By ELIZABETH M. GILLESPIE, Associated Press Writer
42 minutes ago
SEATTLE - In a turnaround Friday, Microsoft Corp. chief executive Steve Ballmer said the company will support gay rights legislation.
Ballmer made the announcement in an e-mail to employees two weeks after gay rights activists accused the company of withdrawing its support for an anti-discrimination bill in its home state after an evangelical pastor threatened to launch a national boycott. The bill died by a single vote in the state Senate in late April.
"After looking at the question from all sides, I've concluded that diversity in the workplace is such an important issue for our business that it should be included in our legislative agenda," Ballmer wrote.
The bill that failed in the state Legislature would have banned discrimination against gays in housing, employment and insurance. Microsoft had supported the measure in the past, but more recently took a neutral stance on the bill.
Critics of Microsoft called it a corporate coward, and a prominent gay rights group asked the company to return a civil rights award it had bestowed on Microsoft four years ago.
Late last month, Ballmer said the company had decided to take a neutral stance on the bill and focus instead on a shorter list of legislative priorities that had a more direct impact on the company's software business.
He said that decision was made well before executives met with the Rev. Ken Hutcherson, pastor of a Redmond church who has organized anti-gay-marriage rallies.
Microsoft does not escape unscathed. Instead of taking decisive and immediate action, they let this issue fester far too long. Gates and Ballmer should have stepped up right away and fired the man responsible for reversing their corporate policy of supporting gay friendly legislation.
John at Americablog can be proud that he played a very large roll in getting a mega-corporation to come to it's senses. The message it sends to other corporations is clear. Fuck with us, and suffer the consequences...
Much appreciation goes out to the Microsoft employees who refused to be silenced, including those that resigned highly lucrative positions in protest. Microsoft should hire them back immediately.
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