Microsoft has contributed $100,000 to the campaign to approve Referendum 71, which would uphold a state law to expand domestic-partnership benefits.

The company made the donation on Friday to Washington Families Standing Together, a group supporting the law, which gives registered couples the same state-provided benefits as married couples. Here is a link to the filing with the state's Public Disclosure Commission, first spotted by The Stranger's Slog.

Microsoft faced intense criticism in 2005 after taking a neutral stance on a state bill banning discrimination against gays and lesbians, which it had supported in the past. At the time, the company was on the receiving end of pressure from Ken Hutcherson, pastor at Antioch Bible Church in Redmond and outspoken gay-rights critic. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer later changed the company's position to support the bill. Here is our coverage of that controversy.

The company has made one other major political contribution this fall election season, to the campaign for No on I-1033, which is seeking to defeat Tim Eyman's initiative to limit revenue for state and local governments at 2009 levels. Microsoft gave $25,000 to the campaign on Sept. 9.