SEATTLE, April 22 (UPI) -- Microsoft's refusal to support a gay rights bill in its home state of Washington has drawn wide criticism, the New York Times reported Friday.
The Redmond, Wash. software giant withdrew its support for the bill which would bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, after being in the forefront of corporate gay rights for decades, the Times said.
The latest version of the bill failed to pass by one vote Thursday in the state Senate. Critics allege the company bowed to pressure from a prominent evangelical church in Redmond.
Gay rights advocates along with Microsoft employees denounced Microsoft. "I think people should feel betrayed," said Tina Podlodowski, a former Microsoft senior manager who now runs an advocacy group for AIDS patients.
Microsoft officials denied any connection between their decision and the church's opposition.
The Redmond minister, who has organized rallies opposing same-sex marriage, told the Times the company backed off after he threatened to organize a national boycott of Microsoft products.
