Major companies back gay-rights legislation

OLYMPIA — A group of some of the biggest companies in Washington state, including Microsoft and Boeing, sent a letter this week to Republican and Democratic legislative leaders supporting gay-rights legislation.

Although many companies have backed the measure individually or in groups in the past, supporters say this is the first time so many prominent businesses have jointly signed a letter endorsing the bill.

The letter supports House Bill 2661, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. "It remains legal in 38 states to fire someone because of their sexual orientation," the letter, dated Jan. 10, states. "This is not only bad for business, it is bad for America."

In addition to Microsoft and Boeing, the letter was signed by people representing Corbis, Hewlett-Packard, Nike, RealNetworks and Vulcan.

Equal Rights Washington, a group lobbying in favor of the bill, organized the effort and sent copies of the letter to reporters Wednesday.

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said he expects the gay-rights bill to pass out of the House and go to the Senate within the next two weeks. State law now bans discrimination by race, sex, religion, marital status, disability and other categories. The bill would add sexual orientation to that list.

For gay-rights supporters, Microsoft stands out because the company was neutral on the measure last session, a decision that grew into a major flap.

The gay-rights measure failed by one vote in the state Senate last year.

Microsoft's decision to withdraw its support for the bill was publicized the day of the vote. The company was heavily criticized by gay-rights supporters for the action, although several lawmakers said it didn't affect their vote. A few weeks later, Microsoft publicly reversed its position and said it would support the legislation this year.

Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, a longtime sponsor of the gay-rights bill, said the letter "feeds the argument that business is for this and Republicans should support it."

Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, Thurston County, an opponent of the bill, predicted the letter won't have much effect. "I don't think it makes a difference to the people I know who oppose it," he said.

In fact, "it may solidify the resolve of folks who oppose it," Swecker said.

The Rev. Joseph Fuiten, pastor of Cedar Park Assembly of God Church in Bothell, also said he doubts the letter will sway lawmakers. And he questions whether the businesses that signed the letter will put much effort into backing the bill.

"I don't think you'll see Microsoft putting a lot of energy behind this," said Fuiten, who also is chairman of the Faith and Freedom Network, which opposes the legislation. "If anything, all Microsoft will do is give a nod of the head to it."

Lou Gellos, a Microsoft spokesman, said that's not true. "We're actively lobbying for the bill," he said. "We're down there every day."

Democrats have been trying to pass gay-rights legislation for more than 20 years. It's passed the House several times, only to be blocked by Senate Republicans.

Supporters think they may have their best shot yet at passing the bill this year because Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, recently voiced support for the measure. Finkbeiner voted against the bill last year.

Andrew Garber: 360-943-9882 or agarber@seattletimes.com