Microsoft Getting Cold Feet on Gay Rights?

There is a storm brewing in the blogsphere and beyond over Microsoft’s action (or rather inaction) over a recent attempt in the state of Washington (Microsoft’s home state) to include reference to sexual orientation in anti-discrimination legislation.

While there’s a lot of "he said, she said" noise foaming up at the moment, once you blow the foam away, it does appear that Microsoft stepped back from supporting the legislation in the state senate. The outcome was that the legislation was lost by one vote, and many are blaming Microsoft’s withdrawal of support for that. 

In the past, Microsoft has been very supportive of diversity and inclusiveness in its company policies, and that extended to its GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered) staff also. It is regrettable that their internal support can no longer be counted on when it comes to society at large.