In recent years, Microsoft has become one of the most gay-friendly corporations in America. Yet, as the company unveils a new advertisement featuring a same-sex wedding and signs onto a brief supporting marriage equality, Microsoft provides support for CPAC, the agenda-setting Republican conference that has moved to eject gay Americans from the conservative movement.<\/p>\n
As Americablog reported, for the second year in a row, CPAC refused to allow GOProud, a right-wing gay advocacy group, from participating in their conference this week. \u201cWe got kicked out last year because we are gay,\u201d said GOProud\u2019s Jimmy LaSalvia over Twitter, adding, \u201cWe won\u2019t be at CPAC.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though the American Conservative Union, the sponsor of CPAC, does not reveal its donors, I have a list of the group\u2019s benefactors in previous years. In addition to Shell Corporation, the Edison Electric Institute, Koch Industries, and Chevron, Microsoft provides a significant contribution to the American Conservative Union Foundation. It appears that this year is no different. The Huffington Post\u2019s Zach Carter tweeted a photo of Microsoft\u2019s booth at the convention yesterday. The American Conservative Union\u2019s board also includes a Microsoft representative, Suhail Khan.<\/p>\n
Microsoft lobbies on dozens of issues, from tech policy to trade and tax issues. It seems likely that Microsoft helps underwrite CPAC to maintain influence among conservative activists and Republican politicians\u2014to sell products and promote economic policies beneficial to Microsoft\u2019s bottom line.<\/p>\n
CPAC has been criticized not only for discriminating against GOProud, but also for providing a forum to a number of virulently anti-gay activists. If Microsoft is truly interested in reforming policies affecting gay Americans, it appears counterproductive to provide financial support to CPAC.<\/p>\n