Microsoft, Starbucks support gay marriage in Washington

Microsoft and Starbucks have joined a list of corporations showing their support for same-sex marriage in Washington state, the Seattle Times reported.

Washington is attempting to join Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and the District of Columbia as another state with legal gay marriage. Although the state already has a domestic partnership law in place, its Senate Bill 6239 would extend full marriage equality, MSNBC reported.

Read more at GlobalPost: Washington state lawmakers have the votes to legalize gay marriage

Microsoft, which is headquartered in Redmond, is the biggest corporation to back the bill. 

"As other states recognize marriage equality, Washington's employers are at a disadvantage if we cannot offer a similar, inclusive environment to our talented employees, our top recruits, and their families," said Brad Smith, Microsoft’s executive vice president of legal and corporate affairs in a statement, MSNBC reported.

Starbucks, the international coffee giant, which is based in Seattle, also wrote a letter backing the bill. “Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples,” Kalen Holmes, executive vice president, wrote, the Seattle Times reported.

According to the Associated Press, Washington’s Legislature has enough votes to legalize gay marriage as of Monday, when Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen released a statement saying she’ll support the measure. Haugen became the 25th vote, which was needed to pass the bill out to the Senate.

Read more at GlobalPost: Gregoire pushes to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington