Microsoft Corp. has donated $100,000 to the campaign supporting more partnership rights for Washington state gay couples.

AP reports:
Microsoft Corp. has donated $100,000 to the campaign supporting more partnership rights for Washington state gay couples. That's the largest single donation in favor of Referendum 71, which asks voters to approve or reject a new law that expands domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples. Microsoft is based in Redmond.

The "approve" campaign committee, called Washington Families Standing Together, has raised about $780,000 overall, and spent about $200,000.

The "reject" campaign, called Protect Marriage Washington, has raised about $60,000, and spent about $35,000. Protect Marriage Washington's biggest single contribution so far is $2,200 from Bryant Adams, an Olympia retiree.

About Referendum 71 in the state of Washington:

There are more than 12,000 people in Washington state registered in domestic partnerships. Gay and lesbian families need domestic partnership laws to provide essential protections for their families. Families with children need the protections provided by domestic partnership laws, especially when a parent dies. Seniors need the protections provided by domestic partnership laws. For seniors, domestic partnerships mean that their hard-earned social security, military or pension benefits are not put at risk. Police officers and firefighters who risk their lives to protect our communities need domestic partnership laws if they are hurt or killed in the line of duty, so that their families are taken care of by their pension or workers' compensation. By voting to Approve Referendum 71, you will vote to ensure that all families, in all parts of the state, should be treated fairly, with the same protections and responsibilities, especially in times of crisis.

Donate and support Approve Referendum 71.