Microsoft revealed its support of LGBT people this past week by donating $100,000 to domestic partnership rights.

Microsoft has also partnered with companies based in the Northwest, such as Boeing and Nike, to help maintain domestic partnership rights.

The company presented the money to Washington Families Standing Together on Oct. 2 in support of Referendum 71. The referendum is asking voters to affirm or repeal the expanded domestic partnership rights passed by legislature and signed into law by Gov. Christine George this spring. A poll taken in late September showed the referendum passing by only 51 percent at that time.

“We embrace everyone’s fundamental right to be judged on their merits and contributions rather than factors such as their sexual orientation,” the joint statement said, according to an article on Advocate.com. “Because rejecting the law would stem progress toward that goal, we urge a vote to approve Referendum 71.”

Read the full article here.

— Kim Brown