Microsoft Errs

The error was done before the minister's threat. This is a public legislative bill that has nothing to do with employment, work practices, or MS profits. They were right to pull out their support but unfortunately it came as a consequence of having crossed over their responsibility. This will set up most companies to back out too if the legislative bill is unrelated to the workforce, performance and profitability. If this were something that is a threat to its workforce, then there is reason for involvement.

Research does not support that gays and lesbians have a choice. This is who they are. To live otherwise is to live a life masqueraded. I have known plenty of folks within the gay community, some of them close friends, and know through them that, if it weren’t for their hormones or other chemical attractors, they would gladly be heterosexual. It just is. I think the data on gays is more like 6-9% of the population.

MS's benefit policy for partners is a loud enough statement as is other corporations who provide partnership benefits. So is their company policy that discourages discrimination or prejudice. This is the area where they are most responsible.

Another tactic that MS can take and other companies who seek to impact public perception is to use their CSR grants to provide funding to groups that protect civil rights or to help provide education and information that wards against unfair stereotyping or other forms of discrimination.