An Open Letter to Microsoft
April 26, 2005
Steve Ballmer, CEO
Bill Gates, Chairman
Microsoft Corporation
1 Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
Dear Mr. Ballmer and Mr. Gates,
On behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Washington State, we at Equal Rights Washington (ERW), the state’s largest LGBT political advocacy organization, request a meeting with you to discuss Microsoft’s withdrawal of support for the Anderson Murray Anti-Discrimination Bill, HB 1515. Your actions send a signal that you have given up your leadership position on valuing the contributions of LGBT employees, consumers, shareholders and citizens. Frankly, we expect better from you.
Discrimination directly affects Microsoft. In the past, Microsoft has made it clear that supporting equality for LGBT Americans is a good business decision, because it helps attract talented employees to the company and retain them. Yet, even in Redmond, Microsoft's backyard, it is still legal to evict people simply because of their sexual orientation; local anti-discrimination laws cover only Seattle, Burien and unincorporated King County. Your actions of withdrawing support for HB 1515 failed to protect your employees who live where they work.
In order to address the concerns of our community, we ask that you take the following actions:
1. Meet with us. This letter should be the beginning of an on-going dialogue. I will be calling your office tomorrow to arrange a meeting. We also publicly invite Microsoft to participate in an ERW Community Town Hall at the Seattle LGBT Community Center on May 5th from 7-9pm.
2. Support anti-discrimination legislation in the Washington State Legislature. This bill will be re-introduced in 2006 and we whole-heartedly welcome your support.
3. Lobby Eastside City Councils to pass anti-discrimination policies. In your letter to Microsoft employees, you state that you are both personally supportive of HB 1515. We request your commitment, either as representatives of Microsoft or as individuals, to encourage local government officials to end discrimination in their communities. Actions speak louder than words.
There is a lot at stake here, both for Microsoft and its reputation, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies everywhere. I look forward to our conversation.
Sincerely,
George Cheung, Executive Director
Equal Rights Washington