Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich steps down following same-sex marriage uproar

[Shawn Knight]

Mozilla on Thursday announced that co-founder Brendan Eich has elected to step down from his post as CEO following the recent controversy surrounding his appointment.

A blog post on the matter said Mozilla prides itself on being held to a different standard and, this past week, they didn’t live up to it. Executive chairwoman Mitchell Baker said they know why people are hurt and angry and they are right: it’s because they haven’t stayed true to themselves. She goes on to say that while painful, the events of the last week show exactly why everyone needs the web.

It all started on March 25 when Mozilla’s search for a new CEO ended with the appointment of JavaScript creator Brendan Eich. He was promoted to the position from CTO after nearly a year-long search when Gary Kovacs resigned in 2013.

Almost immediately, however, people voiced their disapproval over the fact that Eich donated $1,000 to support California’s Proposition 8 campaign against same-sex marriage in April 2012. Even Mozilla employees were calling for him to step down.

A week later, dating site OkCupid posted a note on its homepage asking people not to use Mozilla software to access their site. As you can imagine, that created even more controversy and was likely enough to force change.

The foundation said the next step in leadership is still being discussed and they will have more information to share next week. Mozilla aims to emerge from the controversy with a renewed understanding and humility, Baker said.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/56254-mozilla-ceo-brendan-eich-steps-down-following-same-sex-marriage-uproar.html

 

[cmbjive]

See? So much for diversity of opinion.

Our organizational culture reflects diversity and inclusiveness. We welcome contributions from everyone regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender-identity, language, race, sexual orientation, geographical location and religious views. Mozilla supports equality for all.

As long as you have the right views, that is.

 

[RustyTech]

*ughh* it's going to be a pain uninstalling Firefox.
But what can you do? This company is now hypocritical - proclaiming diversity of opinion but ONLY if you have the right views.

 

[gamoniac]

Intolerable view against someone that has different opinions is in and of itself against the democratic foundation of our system.

While I disagree with Brendan Eich's take on prop 8, I don't see a point of boycotting a product base on an employee's view (CEO or janitor). Mozilla is a product of many people's hard work. Besides, per current US laws, he is entitled to his view and gets to vote yes/no like everyone else.

 

[wastedkill]

I wanna see his CV after this "CEO of mozilla for 14days" xD

 

[Guest]

See? So much for diversity of opinion.


Our organizational culture reflects diversity and inclusiveness. We welcome contributions from everyone regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender-identity, language, race, sexual orientation, geographical location and religious views. Mozilla supports equality for all.


As long as you have the right views, that is.

No tolerance for intolerance.

 

[OliTheG]

So a man just got bullied and threatened out of his job based on his beliefs.

Rejoice! We have protected the right to freedom of speech and religion, and furthered the good cause of everybody must share the same opinion or have your life threatened!

And entirely to somebody who didn't have the right opinion 6 years ago, which makes it all justifiable! HAZAH!

Hooray!

 

[Guest]

"No tolerance in intolerance."

That is easily the best way to view this. People are getting upset because they think Mozilla is being hypocritcal and not allowing differeing views, but intolerance should not be seen as acceptable this day and age. I find it very striking at how many people get upset over this issue. Those intolerant of homosexual marriage are on the wrong side of history.

 

[TekGun]

I wanna see his CV after this "CEO of mozilla for 14days" xD

Well I'm sure he'll be adding the fact he was a co-founder of Mozilla and probably will mention he created JavaScript, I'm sure he has a few others he could add to his CV... not that he needs one.

 

[Raoul Duke]

What total crap. Equality, only if you think like us. Whatever happened to “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

 

[TomSEA]

Intolerable view against someone that has different opinions is in and of itself against the democratic foundation of our system.

While I disagree with Brendan Eich's take on prop 8, I don't see a point of boycotting a product base on an employee's view (CEO or janitor). Mozilla is a product of many people's hard work. Besides, per current US laws, he is entitled to his view and gets to vote yes/no like everyone else.

Of course he's entitled to his view. But he didn't just "vote" yes or no, he contributed money to a specific agenda reflecting intolerance. And as a CEO of a multi-million dollar VERY public company, no one is going to take you seriously if you're saying one thing but doing another.

A very dumb move on his part and now he's paying the price.

 

[scarlett_feverr]

You know, it would be one thing if it *were* just "personal opinions." I have worked with people like that. I think everybody has (unfortunately). But it moves from "personal opinion" to "actively participating in medieval discrimination and bullshit" when we're handing out $1k (and that's just what we know about) to groups that amount to hate groups. Sorry, no dice.

I would assume that half the board wouldn't have left if it was really a non-issue and had zero effect on anything...or else they left on principle, which is important too. As Jon Stewart famously said, “If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies.”

 

[Guest]

"Those intolerant of homosexual marriage are on the wrong side of history."

Homosexuality is not new. There may have been countless hedonist homosexual loving civilizations in ancient history. They just aren't around anymore. Why would you assume your progressive morality is more correct than my conservative views. Maybe you are not progressive enough and need to join NAMBLA

 

[Guest]

What total crap. Equality, only if you think like us. Whatever happened to "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

He can say whatever he wants to, that's his right. But when you say/do something that supports the limiting of rights of a specific group of people (racism, homophobia, etc.) when you are the CEO of a large company, you WILL be pressured to step down.

If I was the leader of a company, I could make a racist remark, but I wouldn't expect to keep my job.

 

[Guest]

No ontic referent, no problem. Oh, the irony.

 

[Mike Steele]

You can say and do what ever you want, but there's nothing protecting you from your actions. would have been nice to see what he could have done before judging him.

 

[Vrmithrax]

Not surprised by this at all... And for everyone that is complaining that he has a right to "free speech" and his own opinions... You are correct, we all have that. However, big companies/business are just like politics - your past will haunt you, so make wise choices. You can say whatever you want, but when you go under the microscope at the top of the food chain, every flaw will be a weapon to flog you with. If you want to see this spelled out in extremis, just take a look at how much fun it is when presidents nominate justices and other high level members of government, and how they get raked over the coals on every little detail by Congress before they are accepted (or rejected).

In other words... You have freedom of speech. You have a right to your opinions. You can support whatever you feel is appropriate for you. UNLESS you plan on being in politics or running a big company, in which case you are held to a higher standard, and better not have any speech, opinions, or support actions that are exclusionary or controversial. Welcome to the world of double-standards! Wheeeeee!

 

[Raoul Duke]

What total crap. Equality, only if you think like us. Whatever happened to "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

He can say whatever he wants to, that's his right. But when you say/do something that supports the limiting of rights of a specific group of people (racism, homophobia, etc.) when you are the CEO of a large company, you WILL be pressured to step down.

If I was the leader of a company, I could make a racist remark, but I wouldn't expect to keep my job.

But he didn't make a racist remark as you insinuate, he donated his own money privately to support California Proposition 8, which was voted into law on Nov 8, 2008, but found unconstitutional on June 26, 2013. Last time I checked, this is the working of a democracy. Prop 8 also had the support of Senator John McCain, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Governor Mitt Romney. I could list more. All they all to lose their job and be pilloried?

 

[Guest]

Interesting opinion. But as the new CEO has he mentioned pushing his company towards a better, gay-free tomorrow? Or is he planning to use company money to fund anti-gay movements? If the answer is no than his personal views don't mean anything to his position as CEO.

 

[Raoul Duke]

A quick check also reveals that on a 79%+ voter turnout 52% of the California voters endorsed Proposition 8. Does this mean we need to send them to re-education camps so they do not keep their intolerant views. Do we take away their kids Ken and Barbie dolls and buy them Ken and Bob dolls to make sure their kids aren't tainted by their parents views. Maybe Federal dollars should be spent on an advertising campaign to teach these intolerant Californians

 

[Guest]

For those that just don't get it... how about this:

"I support child porn. I do not watch it or produce it, I only support it."

I want to be your boss. Will you work for me?

 

[Raoul Duke]

For those that just don't get it... how about this:

"I support child porn. I do not watch it or produce it, I only support it."

I want to be your boss. Will you work for me?

Child pornography is illegal. Making a legitimate private donation to fund a side of the political process that he supports is in no way comparable. If the man breaks employment, labour laws I would be the first to call for his head. What has happened though is someone leaked a entirely legitimate and within the political process donation to the press and relied on it to cahier him. These are dirty tricks and unworthy of anyone. If you disagree with the supporters of Prop 8, donate your own money or get out on the armchair and work within the democratic process to ensure it stays defeated.
I really think that you are the one that 'does not get it'. This was not some shady, underhanded deal, using company funds to an illegal organization outside the mainstream. This was a piece of government legislation that Californian's voted for, only to be challenged and overturned by a Federal court.

 

[Scshadow]

For those that just don't get it... how about this:

"I support child porn. I do not watch it or produce it, I only support it."

I want to be your boss. Will you work for me?

Yeah, child porn is totally the same thing as trying to protect your belief in the sanctity of marriage. When he is advocating for concentration camps for known homosexuals. k. Til then I would not compare it to child porn.

 

[Guest]

To Raoul Duke, illegal is only a term of which society has give an action which is deemed negative enough to the masses to make it such. Just because it isn't illegal AT THIS MOMENT doesn't mean it shouldn't be illegal (as a hate crime) or doesn't mean it SHOULD be legal. Think bigger.

 

[Guest]

George Takei's take: "And a quick civics primer: Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences. This man donated money to a campaign designed to keep LGBT people from full equality and to deny our families equal rights under the law. He was free to make that choice, but we are free to hold him accountable. If he'd donated money to White Supremacists to help outlaw interracial marriage, there'd be little outcry over his ouster."