Pro LGBT Amazon gets dropped by Seattle Pride over political donations

The forces of “Pride” – meaning shouting out to the world that you have something resembling sex with those of your own gender – are now in full purge mode of those they perceive to be their enemies.

In fact it seems a kind of civil war is breaking out between big corporations and homosexuals who seem to consider themselves the new arbiters of corporate responsibility.

Amazon.com Inc. has gotten the boot as a sponsor for the 2022 Seattle Pride parade because of donations it made to politicians who opposed a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Seattle Pride announced on March 23.

“As an organization that has supported Seattle Pride and other Pride organizations over the years, we are saddened to learn about Amazon’s support of anti-LGBTQIA+ politicians,” the organization said in a statement on March 22, as reported by Bloomberg. Seattle Pride said Amazon had contributed more than $450,000 in 2020 to lawmakers who voted against the Equality Act, citing a Guardian story.

The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives a year ago, and has remained stuck in committee in the Senate. Republicans oppose the measure, charging that it infringes on religious freedom.

“Amazon has long supported Seattle Pride because we believe that the rights of LGBTQ+ people must be protected,” Amazon protested in an emailed statement. “We stand together with the LGBTQ+ community, were early and strong supporters of marriage equality, and are working at the U.S. federal and state level on legislation, including supporting passage of the Equality Act. … We also work hard to offer an inclusive environment for employees and for five consecutive years we’ve received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index.”

Pride asked Amazon to request the return of these donations. The organization also expressed concern that Amazon had donated nearly $1 million to candidates who received poor grades from Human Rights Campaign, and that Amazon’s Smile charity program, which allows shoppers to choose to direct donations based on a percentage of their purchases, allows giving to anti-LGBTQIA+ organizations.