Microsoft Pushing WA State to Legalize Gay Marriage
Microsoft claims that discrimination is bad business, and could turn away good help.
Microsoft has joined Vulcan, NIKE, RealNetworks, Group Health Cooperative, and Concur in supporting bills (SB 6239 and HB 2516) that would legalize gay marriage in the state of Washington, the Redmond company's home turf.
Microsoft's argument is that it's difficult to hire the best people in the industry while residing in a state that may discriminate against their sexual preference. Marriage equality in Washington would be good for business, the company claims. Discrimination would not.
"As other states recognize marriage equality, Washington's employers are at a disadvantage if we cannot offer a similar, inclusive environment to our talented employees, our top recruits and their families," writes Microsoft's Brad Smith, General Counsel & Executive Vice President, Legal & Corporate Affairs. "Employers in the technology sector face an unprecedented national and global competition for top talent. Despite progress made in recent years with domestic partnership rights, same-sex couples in Washington still hold a different status from their neighbors."
"Marriage equality in Washington would put employers here on an equal footing with employers in the six other states that already recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples - Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont," he adds. "This in turn will help us continue to compete for talent."
News of Microsoft’s support arrives as the Senate seeks one final state senator to vote in favor of Senate Bill 6239 -- 25 votes are needed for passage. The House version already has enough supporting lawmakers to approve it, and Gov. Chris Gregoire is even backing the bill. Even more, state Sen. Jim Kastama, who previously opposed same-sex marriage, is now one of the 24 senators actually supporting the Senate's bill.
"It's a significant step [in getting the bill passed]," said Sen. Ed Murray, the bill's sponsor in the Senate. "But having lived through trying to find that last vote on the gay- and lesbian civil-rights bill, I am not yet ready to celebrate." His statement refers to a gay-rights legislation that failed by one vote in 2005 in the Senate.
Microsoft’s stance isn't without criticism. Joseph Backholm, executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, ridiculed the Redmond-based company and its fellow supporters for caving in to the bullying tactics of the pro-same-sex-marriage camp.
"I think it's totally inappropriate for a company to take this position," he said. "They are a software company, not a PAC, and the only reason they take a position and essentially stick a finger in the eye of their customers is that they think life would be too miserable if they don't."
Microsoft said it respects the views of those who may not agree with its position, within or outside the company. "We have many highly valued and highly successful employees who hold a wide range of views on this and many other issues," Microsoft's Brad Smith writes. "We’re not asking anyone to change their views to conform to the company’s position."
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I give Microsoft credit for taking a stance on the subject you don't have to agree with them on it, but at least respect they take a view on the matter.
I'd prefer they push Washington (state) to stop giving heterosexual couples legal/tax benefits instead.
cool...
Sad day for Microsoft.
yay microsoft! hooray for forward thinking people!
Microsoft shouldn't take a stance, it's a corporation, not a political action group. This is only about political correctness and appearances.
Another reason I'm glad I live in the South. Will never see that crap here! Keep it out on the left coast.
There only two gender for the human species: Male and Female
Everyone thought Gates was the conservative and Jobs was the liberal, but who can say..... who can say.
Having said that, I certainly don't have a problem with gay marriage, although I would much rather that Microsoft pushed them to legalize weed.
The more you push this subject the more ppl will accept it. The more that accept it equates to less babies being born and raised. Therefore the less total amount of customers. No matter how much you dont like it or disagree with it. Homosexuals hurt the future of humans because they cant produce offspring. That will never change, heterosexual activity will ALWAYS have to happen to make a baby in some form or another(sperm donor?). As far as business goes it will hurt business in the long run from less ppl in the world to buy their stuff. Wont happen today or tomorrow, but it will happen the more wide spread it goes.
yay microsoft! hooray for forward thinking people!
what's so forward thinking about this? i think it's backward thinking....there is a reason for a penis and a peepee hole....1+1=3 not 2....if you don't get the math here is so me help....1= woman, the other 1 is for the man and 3 is for the result of hot sex
Gay marriage, froward thinking? Wtf...I have nothing against homosexuals, but the marriage is something sacred, and the bible forbids homosexuality. So why would homosexuals want to marry? Be together and stop whining.
The more you push this subject the more ppl will accept it. The more that accept it equates to less babies being born and raised. Therefore the less total amount of customers. No matter how much you dont like it or disagree with it. Homosexuals hurt the future of humans because they cant produce offspring. That will never change, heterosexual activity will ALWAYS have to happen to make a baby in some form or another(sperm donor?). As far as business goes it will hurt business in the long run from less ppl in the world to buy their stuff. Wont happen today or tomorrow, but it will happen the more wide spread it goes.
As a number lets say homosexuals make up 10% of the population of the earth. You'd have to be stupid to look at a country like India or China and say that that 10% is slowing down the rate at which their population increases in any meaningful way.
Additionally you talk like homosexuality is a choice (which it isn't), this is just another indicator of what you don't know and I can't fault you for that.
As for microsoft taking a stance: if more mega corps go hey you should do this because we think you should, (this being a reflection of the leader ship and likely their stock holders); it would be yet another voice in favour of personal freedoms; something which the United States is quite keen on last I checked.
Ok, let me make this clear.... I'm neither for, nor against gay marriage. It has no direct impact on MY life what so ever.
Now, to the topic at hand. Exactly what is wrong with granting equal rights to ALL people? This isn't even an issue of gay/lesbian marriage. It's a question of EQUAL RIGHTS. As I said, I'm neither for nor against gay marriage. I don't care if they're allowed to marry or not. However, I'm all for EQUAL RIGHTS. So, either allow gay/lesbian marriage....or ban marriage altogether. The question as to what rights a person is afforded should not be affected by their sexual preference.
As a number lets say homosexuals make up 10% of the population of the earth. You'd have to be stupid to look at a country like India or China and say that that 10% is slowing down the rate at which their population increases in any meaningful way.Additionally you talk like homosexuality is a choice (which it isn't), this is just another indicator of what you don't know and I can't fault you for that. As for microsoft taking a stance: if more mega corps go hey you should do this because we think you should, (this being a reflection of the leader ship and likely their stock holders); it would be yet another voice in favour of personal freedoms; something which the United States is quite keen on last I checked.
Studies are flawed, there are many indicators that prove it is indeed a choice.
Studies are flawed, there are many indicators that prove it is indeed a choice.
Which are peer reviewed and published in which internationally recognized journals? Give me links I want to read them then I can change what I think. (The more you know....)
Gay marriage, froward thinking? Wtf...I have nothing against homosexuals, but the marriage is something sacred, and the bible forbids homosexuality. So why would homosexuals want to marry? Be together and stop whining.
In the US, marriage has no link to religion. Of course, ignorant bible thumpers are always against EQUAL RIGHTS. This is the exact reason I think that religion should be banned. Religions do nothing but create mindless drones and start wars.
Studies are flawed, there are many indicators that prove it is indeed a choice.
Show me undeniable proof that homosexuality is a choice....and please, find credible sources that weren't influenced by religious funding....
The homophobes have spoken....
There are many gay people out there in the industry that should not be discriminated for their sexual preference, why should their talent be wasted?
Which are peer reviewed and published in which internationally recognized journals? Give me links I want to read them then I can change what I think. (The more you know....)
Debating this subject is like debating global warming is due to carbon-dioxide emanations or by the sun spots. Scientist are divided on the subject, but there is a clear recent push by the international status-co on scientists to support the carbon-dioxide theory. There have been a similar push on sexuality studies to mark them as solid proof. Just use Google and educate yourself. Nothing is all black or all white. In my opinion, if sexuality was genetically hard-wired, men wouldn't involve in sexual acts together in prison. The argument that it is because they are so horny they can't help it is flawed. Sexuality is really complex, and I think it is related more to psyche than biology.
But choice or not, marriage is interconnected with religion, and by being an homosexual you go against it. You have every right to be respected and live like everyone else in this modern society, but I don't see why you would want to marry. It be like me wanting to be part of some gay pride organization being heterosexual, doesn't make sense.
Another indicator that sexuality isn't genetically hard-wired. Some people encounter sexual attraction change while getting older in their lives, for different reasons. Again, the argument that they were always homosexual living in a closet cause of shame or whatever is flawed. Sometimes it's the case, sometime it is not. Don't need any study to realize that.
What's up with all the trailer court shit on the forums? (Gays tuk R jawbz!!!) Microsoft has taken a great step forward by supporting this. I recently witnessed Don't Ask, Don't Tell being removed and my unit feels like a far more tolerable and equal place for all service members. This is the next step forward and Microsoft has every right to be involved in this.
The homophobes have spoken....There are many gay people out there in the industry that should not be discriminated for their sexual preference, why should their talent be wasted?
Again, not because someone think marriage isn't for homosexuals that the person is an instant homophone. I myself have some bi-sexual tendencies, so saying I am an homophobe is flawed, take that in your pipe mister
The more you push this subject the more ppl will accept it. The more that accept it equates to less babies being born and raised. Therefore the less total amount of customers. No matter how much you dont like it or disagree with it. Homosexuals hurt the future of humans because they cant produce offspring. That will never change, heterosexual activity will ALWAYS have to happen to make a baby in some form or another(sperm donor?). As far as business goes it will hurt business in the long run from less ppl in the world to buy their stuff. Wont happen today or tomorrow, but it will happen the more wide spread it goes.
What utter nonsense. So ridiculous its funny. Do people actually think about what they are saying? In the past 200 years the planet's population has grown at a faster rate than at any time in human history - by 700%. In the past 30 years alone it has grown by around 30%. How exactly is civil rights damaging the population? If anything we need to slow the population growth down. Also it is expecting to grow by another 2-3 billion in the next few decades so I don't think they will be hurting their customer base with this lol.
By the same warped reasoning you would want to roll back equal rights for women too? God forbid they should have the means to control their own reproduction. Or how about older people who can't reproduce (or people who are infertile or even people who don't want kids)? Are they 'hurting the future of humans' too? People really need to start reading more - and by that I don't mean 2000 year old fairytales...
There is absolutly no evidence that its done by nature. Its really a spiritual problem and they can be delivered from it just like any other sin. I have friends who have been. But if you push the bible aspect out then sure you can reason enough to make it sound right. Doesnt make it right and one day they will find it out. ITs a real problem and many do not like it and feel they dont have a choice. They just need God to learn that they do have a choice...thats like saying smoking comes naturally...?? if it was ok, then animals in nature would be that way too. humans are the only dumb enough species to say.. "HEY.....who needs offspring, I want another stick like mine to play with!"
There is absolutly no evidence that its done by nature. Its really a spiritual problem and they can be delivered from it just like any other sin. I have friends who have been. But if you push the bible aspect out then sure you can reason enough to make it sound right. Doesnt make it right and one day they will find it out. ITs a real problem and many do not like it and feel they dont have a choice. They just need God to learn that they do have a choice...thats like saying smoking comes naturally...?? if it was ok, then animals in nature would be that way too. humans are the only dumb enough species to say.. "HEY.....who needs offspring, I want another stick like mine to play with!"
No, we need fewer bible thumping drones.....
Apparently, Religion = ANTI-EQUAL RIGHTS....
There is absolutly no evidence that its done by nature. Its really a spiritual problem and they can be delivered from it just like any other sin. I have friends who have been. But if you push the bible aspect out then sure you can reason enough to make it sound right. Doesnt make it right and one day they will find it out. ITs a real problem and many do not like it and feel they dont have a choice. They just need God to learn that they do have a choice...thats like saying smoking comes naturally...?? if it was ok, then animals in nature would be that way too. humans are the only dumb enough species to say.. "HEY.....who needs offspring, I want another stick like mine to play with!"
Problem is by saying that you discredit yourself. People don't like to be lectured, and will label you as a religious zealot. Keep your faith to your close friends. You're just giving fuel to the atheists, and at the same time look like a fool to the homosexuals. Don't want to be rude, just saying the facts.
Thumbs down while getting no counter-arguments just shows some are butthurt.
"This is a myth, pure and simple. Although studies have turned up evidence that certain factors might play a role, nothing at this point has been even remotely conclusive. In fact, every major theory to date has at least some pretty substantial evidence against it. At this point, the most we can say is that we simply don't know. We don't know what causes heterosexual attraction or homosexual attraction, and it's not likely that we'll have an answer to the question any time soon.
Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying here. Some people interpret "there isn't any conclusive evidence" to mean "biology has nothing to do with it; it's all development or choice." That is not true at all. In fact, the evidence weighs very heavily in favor of a biological component, but it doesn't look like biology can explain it alone. The evidence for non-biological theories (such as the theories put forth by Moberly and Nicolosi and promoted by conservative groups like Focus on the Family) is no better than that for the biological theories. The best evidence indicates that there is a combination of biological and environmental factors working to shape a person's sexuality in the formative years, but at this point we just don't know how it works."
http://www.angelfire.com/nc/yakkow/choice.html
Have a good read, even if it's not an "official" study. Again, nothing is all black or white. I'm out of here. Too much narrow minded people.
It's funny. These religious objectors say gay people have a problem yet they talk to an invisible friend, nail sculptures of a dying man to their walls or wear them around their neck but no one sees fit to assess their mental stability?
I have no problem with people worshiping whatever absentee 'creator' they want. They should, however, remember that modern western civilization was built on a secular basis for good reason - zealots are dangerous - so their beliefs should have no part in the policy and law-making of a country like the USA.
Correction, should read...
so their 'church' should have no part in the policy and law-making of a country like the USA.