As Big Time Parrot pointed out in an
earlier diary, Microsoft's reversal on GLBT anti-discrimination legislation in Washington State is not only unjust and uncivil but also bad business.
This is going to come back to bite them...big time. And it should.
Americablog offers a great overview of the recent happenings out of Redmond. Check it out if you haven't already.
I decided to put this diary together -- my first, so go easy! -- because I haven't been able to find any constructive online resource for how to take steps to make sure Microsoft knows how saddened, displeased, and OUTRAGED many of us are. They need to know there will be consequences.
More below the fold...including ACTION STEPS.
What can we do? Here are a few ideas.
- Write emails to many or all of the general email addresses at Microsoft, including Investor Relations. I suppose calling up couldn't hurt either. Let them know that we progressives see this as the complete abandonment of the CIVIL RIGHTS of many of the company's employees and neighbors. If the company is so concerned about not offending "the other side," who's civil rights are next? Also let them know we'll seek and find alternatives to Microsoft products if they don't make amends.
- Make sure this news spreads like wildfire across the Web -- not only on political blogs but also tech-oriented and tech-recruiting blogs and sites. If Microsoft refuses to back down, one major risk to them is in employee recruitment. Software development is all about creativity. Microsoft's "change of heart" last week (read: backstabbing) could motivate highly creative talent to seek employment with competitors that actually have INTEGRITY, including any of a number of exciting startups we haven't even heard of yet. Such a drain could prove devastating to Microsoft.
- Community action. Consider what we'll need to do next if, after a grace period of a week or two, Microsoft doesn't once again show FULL support of the GLBT community. Options include:
- Supporting Apple in whatever way possible (buying Macs instead of Windows-based PCs, using QuickTime over Windows Media Player, etc.);
- Boycotting MSN Search in favor of Google, Yahoo!, or others (hardly a sacrifice there);
- If you can't live without Windows, using Google Desktop Search and other Web-based add-ons in place of Microsoft products designed for interacting with and enhancing the Windows desktop;
- If in a corporate decision-making role, encouraging the use of Linux over Windows-based servers whenever possible; and
- Organizing and participating in demonstrations in Redmond and whatever other cities in which Microsoft has a significant presence.
I can't think of other options at this point, but I'm sure there are many. Please share your ideas!
We can't let them get away with this. No way.