The technology firm’s new Art Of Harmony campaign sees them celebrate real-life activists, including transgender reality star Jazz Jennings and seven-year-old Zea Bowling who stood up to a homophobic preacher.
Others who feature in the advert include Mona Haydar, a Muslim-American activist who invites people to “ask a Muslim” over coffee and doughnuts, and nine-year-old Zianna Oliphant, who spoke on racial issues to the Charlotte City Council.
Microsoft said in a statement: “This year has been challenging for many and much of what we hear in the news can be negative. We wanted to lift people up and remind them that ordinary people can make a difference.
“Our message focuses on the spirit of the holidays, people coming together and celebrating what is good and right with the world—what unites us, instead of what divides us.”
It’s not the first Christmas advert to celebrate equality – Sainsbury’s featured two mothers in their stop-motion animation, while Hallmark celebrated two men sharing their first Christmas together in a new home.
Meanwhile, BBC One debuted their festive advert earlier this month, showing off the diversity of modern-day Britain with a range of couples and family set-ups including a male same-sex couple who share a kiss at a Christmas party.
Watch Microsoft’s new advert below.
