Video: Microsoft releases TV advert featuring lesbian wedding

Software giant Microsoft has released a television advert for their Outlook.com campaign which includes a scene of two women getting married.

The wedding takes place outside what appears to be a courthouse, after which one of the women receives a congratulatory email from a friend who writes “So happy for you both!”

The advert has been said to send a “strong public message” of support for equal marriage.

Microsoft is well known for its backing of gay rights and marriage equality in Washington, where its headquarters are based.

The company  was among a large number of Washington-based companies which confirmed their support for Referendum 74, the equal marriage bill from last November, by signing up to a newspaper advert.

In a statement they said: “Passing the [same-sex marriage] bill would be good for our business and for the state’s economy.”

Last year Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda donated $500,000 (£336,315) to supporting the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Washington.

Amazon has also released an advert featuring a same-sex couple this year, with a video including a man and his husband getting along with a straight holidaying couple.