Tech companies celebrate gay marriage decision

Giant tech companies quickly celebrated the Supreme Court decision Friday that outlined a constitutional right to gay marriage.

The industry has been active on social issues, even as it has received criticism over a lack of diversity within its workforce. Executives for companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft and Salesforce responded on social media to the 5-4 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook, who publicly announced he was gay last year, said, “Today marks a victory for equality, perseverance and love.”

“The People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do,” Cook told his more than 1 million Twitter followers.

Today marks a victory for equality, perseverance and love.

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 26, 2015

Twitter itself called Friday a “monumental day for equal rights” and encouraged people to use a pair of Twitter emojis that included the rainbow flag, a symbol of the gay community.

This is a monumental day for equal rights. Join the celebration by using the new Twitter emoji #Pride and #LoveWins: https://t.co/h1wAuNn7Qi

— Twitter Open (@TwitterOpen) June 26, 2015

On Google’s website, the search giant included a subdued note reading, “YouTube and Google are proud to celebrate marriage equality. #ProudtoLove,” linking to a video of a number of individuals coming out to friends and family.

Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff said tweeted his congratulations. Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella said the decision marked “a historic moment.”

Congratulations. Equality for all. pic.twitter.com/PRVIPRJwQn

— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) June 26, 2015

A historic moment and step forward for equality in America. #LoveWins

— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) June 26, 2015

Major tech companies were among the more than 350 businesses that signed on to a Supreme Court brief earlier this year, arguing that the patchwork of sometimes “discriminatory” gay marriage laws from state to state “impose [an] added economic burden” on their operations. They urged the court to overturn bans on gay marriage on the state level.

Along with hundreds of other businesses, those signing on included Twitter, Verizon, Qualcomm, Pandora Media, Oracle, Microsoft, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Groupon, Google, Facebook, eBay, Dropbox, Cox, Comcast, AT&T, Apple and Amazon.

Cook and Benioff were also vocal in pushing back against state religious freedom laws that critics say were discriminatory.