Microsoft has contributed $100,000 to the campaign to approve Referendum 71, which would uphold a state law to expand domestic-partnership benefits, the Seattle Times reports.
The company made the donation on Friday to Washington Families Standing Together, a group supporting the law, which gives registered couples the same state-provided benefits as married couples.
Here is a link to the filing with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission, first spotted by The Stranger’s Slog.
Microsoft faced intense criticism in 2005 after taking a neutral stance on a state bill banning discrimination against gays and lesbians, which it had supported in the past.
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At the time, the company was on the receiving end of pressure from Ken Hutcherson, pastor at Antioch Bible Church in Redmond and outspoken gay-rights critic. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer later changed the company’s position to support the bill.
Read more at the Seattle Times.
