04/21/2005
NYT: Microsoft Comes Under Fire for Reversal on Gay Rights Bill. And the AmericaBlog rebuttal to Microsoft's lies.
Posted 11:23 PM EST by Andy in Elsewhere | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Well the first thing we can all do is stop our hotmail/msn accounts and switch to yahoo or someone else. And when canceling your account be sure to mention why in your email to MS.
Posted by: Matt-chicago | Apr 22, 2005 1:03:20 AM
Microsoft is one of the world's largest corporations. If no response is taken on this, what is next?
As for me and many others that have concern for what is right. We will be removing anything that has to do with Microsoft out of our lives. I do not plan to go back to the closet of my youth and I will not tolerate a corporation that writes me off. As of right now I am not boycotting Microsoft, I am writing THEM off. I am emailing every one of my addresses in my hotmail account that I will be closing it and using Gmail as my primary email. I will also be removing my Xbox to the closet - where it belongs now.
And just to make it clear to anyone attempting to contact me using Hotmail, don't bother because I will be setting up a rule in my Gmail inbox to refuse them.
Thankfully, the computer software issue is not a problem because Open Office will open most Microsoft office documents.
Again, this is not a boycott, this is a write off. I will not stand by while zealots decide my life. I hope my friends will join me. Otherwise, just sit and watch this trend continue. To a fate I would rather not imagine. One decided by hate.
Posted by: Blake Fox | Apr 22, 2005 2:30:25 AM
I know we all hate Microsoft now, and are looking for alternatives. But does anyone know which competitors supported bill 1515, which are the ones who opposed, and which are the ones who remained neutral? I believe in making informed decisions.
Also, should we also boycott other companies that, like Microsoft, decided to remain neutral to the bill - and opt for their competitors (that supported the bill)?
Posted by: cozzmic thoughts | Apr 22, 2005 7:21:45 AM
A valid point, Cozzmic. Anyone have a feel for where the other major PC-software companies are one this or similar issues? It's certainly and industry that should be replete with G/L employees and corporate officials.
Who's put their money were their mouth's at? And, who's caved in to the Reactionaries? Consumer boycotts can cut both ways....
"Feel our pain...."
Posted by: Ted B. | Apr 22, 2005 12:44:16 PM
I have to say I am shocked by this. I worked for Microsoft for 14 years and rose through the company to a high level executive position before retiring. All the while being very open about my sexuality. It was something that never hurt me (I swear it helped me in some regards). I have put out a call to former co-workers to see what the internal reaction is to this and so far nothing is coming back (I am guessing as with hot issues they are keeping check on "outside" discussions). Something is not right about this though, they were one of the first companies to offer domestic partner benefits (in 1987), gay adoption assistance, 100% HIV treatment reimbursement and added sexual orientation to all company literature. Additionally they have an internal diversity council with membership in the thousands to educate and ensure non-discrimiation within the company (well over half of that group is GLTB). I hope they do make a statement soon, again as an insider who can complain about many things from my years there, this was something I thought would NEVER be an issue.
Posted by: Nativeokie | Apr 23, 2005 1:07:13 AM
If P&G can stand by us why not Microsoft? The GLBT community has given MS awards in the past. It should be a cold day in H*** before we give them another one. In addition to knowing how their competitors stood on this issue it would be useful to have a list of applications available to choose what to replace all this Microsoft software with. Any one know of a comprehensive list?
Posted by: David | Apr 23, 2005 11:17:17 AM