Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich has resigned from the company following a wave of consumer backlash, due to an email sent by dating site OkCupid which requested users avoid accessing the site via Mozilla’s Firefox browser, due to Eich being an opponent of gay marriage and supporter of California’s Proposition 8 law.
OkCupid’s email, which stated that “those who seek to deny love and instead enforce misery, shame and frustration are [OkCupid’s] enemies”, can be read in full here, as can Mozilla’s response.
Discussing Eich’s resignation in a blog post, executive chairwoman of Mozilla Mitchell Baker wrote:
“Mozilla prides itself on being held to a different standard and, this past week, we didn’t live up to it,” Mitchell Baker, the executive chairwoman of Mozilla, wrote. “We know why people are hurt and angry, and they are right: It’s because we haven’t stayed true to ourselves.
“Brendan Eich has chosen to step down from his role as CEO. He’s made this decision for Mozilla and our community.”
Eich was found to be a supporter of Prop 8 shortly after he came Mozilla CEO, after giving a $1,000 donation to the cause. Eich later defended his decision, saying his politics would not interfere with his position as CEO.
