Amazon, Microsoft, Nike join business coalition for anti-discrimination LGBT bill

Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos. Amazon is part of a new pro-LGBT group called the Business Coalition for the Equality Act. In 2012, Bezos gave $3.5 million to the campaign supporting marriage equality.

Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos. Amazon is part of a new pro-LGBT group called the Business Coalition for the Equality Act. In 2012, Bezos gave $3.5 million to the campaign supporting marriage equality. Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Amazon, Microsoft, Nike join business coalition for anti-discrimination LGBT bill 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Three giants of the Northwest economy -- Amazon, Microsoft and Nike -- are part of a new business coalition promoting a bill with sweeping anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community.

A total of 60 major employers have signed up with the Business Coalition for Equality Act, announced on Thursday. The list runs the alphabet from Apple and American Airlines to Unilever and WeddingWire Inc.

"These business leaders are showing true leadership and fighting to end a shameful status quo that leaves LGBT people at risk in a majority of states for being denied services or fired because of who they are or who they love," said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

The HRC is America's best-heeled and most venerable gay rights lobby. It has successfully built corporate support for another major piece of legislation pending before Congress, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Thirty-two states lack fully inclusive non-discrimination protections for LGBT people, and there are no explicit federal anti-discrimination protections.

The Washington Legislature passed an LGBT anti-discrimination law in 2006 -- then-state Sen. Ed Murray was the chief sponsor -- but the law is now under attack by those who would restrict transgender citizens' access to public places.

The list of Equality Act endorsers includes a company with deep Mormon roots (Marriott International Inc.), the maker of napalm (Dow Chemical) and companies that have spent millions to fight off ballot measures to require labeling of genetically modified foods (Monsanto,Coca-Cola, Pepsico and General Mills).

Washington's technology entrepreneurs have been strong supporters of LGBT rights.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos made national headlines in 2012 when he pledged $2.5 million to support the marriage equality referendum on Washington's ballot. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and then-CEO Steve Ballmer gave $100,000 apiece to the campaign.

The kickoff of the Equality Act campaign took place last fall at Amazon headquarters and featured House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The annual Seattle dinner of the Human Rights Campaign last fall had, as "platinum" sponsors, Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and Recreational Equipment Inc.

The Equality Act includes permanent protections under federal law for LGBT citizens, including such areas of life as employment, access to public spaces, housing, credit, education, jury service and federally funded programs.