Microsoft and its subsidiary Nuance Communications both received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the HRC. Among other requirements, this means the companies have pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1)(2)(3). Microsoft and LinkedIn are members of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which aims to demonetize advertisements and suppress content that “vilifies” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity, discusses “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context” or spreads “hate speech” (4)(5)(6). Microsoft itself has not terminated any business relationships due to views or beliefs. However, Microsoft-owned Xandr, an advertising company, removed conservative-leaning news outlets from its media blacklist after previously using the Global Disinformation Index to prevent certain sources from receiving advertising dollars, including sites such as Breitbart, Newsmax, RealClearPolitics, the Blaze, the Washington Times, and more (7). Microsoft-owned LinkedIn suspended the account of presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for violating its policies related to “misinformation, hate speech, and violence” when he shared videos about climate policy and President Biden’s relationship with China (8).

Microsoft does not match employee gifts to religious organizations unless there is “an ongoing secular community service program sponsored by these organizations [that] does not propagate a belief in a specific faith” (1). Microsoft also prohibits nonprofits from qualifying for its nonprofit discount “if they have a policy or mission of discrimination” on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (among other protected classes) (2). Alliance Defending Freedom allegedly lost access to nonprofit pricing for Microsoft products because the SPLC considers them a “hate” group (3). Nuance Communications does not appear to discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving (4)(5).

Microsoft protects its employees against viewpoint discrimination (1). Nuance Communications does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (2).

Microsoft’s PGLE membership reflects its commitment to “operationalize” company coverage of transgender surgery and treatment, the vetting of business partners based on LGBTQ+ policies, and the financial support of LGBTQ organizations on a global level (1)(2)(3). Microsoft is one of the inaugural members of the Business Coalition for the Equality Act and endorses transgender participation in female sports (4)(5). Microsoft was the only company to file a lawsuit to object to the rescission of DACA, and the company also wrote a blog post objecting to the Georgia voting integrity bill (6)(7). Microsoft opposed North Carolina’s “Bathroom Bill,” which required people to use the bathrooms corresponding to biological sex (8). LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft, removed its seminar that urged people to “be less white” after the backlash this training caused at Coca-Cola (9). Microsoft held a corporate presentation laden with progressive and partisan ideology, including preferred pronouns in introductions (10). Microsoft opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (11). CEO Satya Nadella is a member of the Business Roundtable, but has not supported ideological initiatives (12). Microsoft partners with GLAAD to increase LGBTQ+ representation in Xbox games (13). Microsoft implemented official Pride backgrounds for its Teams platform (14). Nuance Communications CEO signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace (15). Nuance Communications signed an open letter in support of the Equality Act (16)(17). Nuance Communications openly opposed anti-LGBTQ+ state legislation and signed the national business statement opposing the ban on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation (18).

Microsoft has funded Planned Parenthood and is a platinum sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign (1)(2). Additionally, Microsoft covers travel costs for employee abortions (3). Microsoft and Nuance Communications have a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the companies cover the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for their employees and their children (4)(5). Microsoft and LinkedIn are members of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (4)(5)(6). Microsoft and its subsidiaries pledged a combined $270 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes (7)(8)(9)(10). Microsoft is a founding member of the PGLE, a bronze sponsor of Out and Equal, and a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (11)(12)(13). In 2023, Microsoft donated $200,000 to Outright International, Stonewall, SAATHII, Casa Rara, and GLAAD for its annual Pride celebration (14).

Microsoft worked with “Zero for Zeros,” a campaign to cut off donations to “anti-LGBTQ” politicians, and considers “diversity and inclusion” when making PAC donations (1)(2). The company PAC has donated to the Equality PAC (3).