2005年NPR美国国家公共电台五月-Gay Rights Law Divided Microsoft, Gates S
时间：2007-07-17 06:08:25
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Microsoft founder1 Bill Gates is explaining his company's position on gay rights legislation. The company has been attacked over its actions on lack of them on a proposal to ban discrimination/ against homosexuals. The bill was before legislature in Washington state where the giant cooperation is based. The measure failed in the State Senate by a single vote. Microsoft chose not to support the bill and a conservative minister claimed credit for pressuring the company. Employees protest the lack of action. In an interview with NPR, Bill Gates said that even though his company did not support the bill, he personally does.
Gates : "We were in one of the first to have the anti-discrimination requirements, to have the domestic partner benefits, and we hope we've set a good example on that.”
Reporter: “Were you surprised to learn what your company's position was?”
Gates: um, I haven't followed that particular state legislation. There is this question on ,say, a broad social issue, you know, take the most controversial of all, sometimes like abortion2. Do companies get in and take positions on that? I think there are some of these issues,and when you have customers, shareholders3 and employees , strongly on both sides of an issue that the company will not take position on. This one, if it comes up again, we’re gonna go through a process and, you know, make sure that we are choosing to take position or not for the right reasons.”
Reporter: So in you view, was it a mistake to make the steps on the gay rights bill that you did, changing your support?
Gates; We didn’t change. We chose not to get involved in that, people could know what we stand for as a company in terms of anti-discrimination. They can also know we won't necessarily take position on every social issue that comes up.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates says the company will check with employees in the future before taking positions on some issues. Gates sat down for a wide-ranging conversation and tomorrow on morning edition , we will hear him speak about education, innovation and his changing company.
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