Discrimination seems to be about the worse sin one can commit today, especially in the workplace. Imagine if someone were to say “I don’t want to work here because so-and-so is gay,” or African American, or Muslim - the outcry would sweep across the Internet faster than grumpy cat.

But what happens when the reaction goes the other way, as in the case of Mozilla (News - Alert) CEO Brendan Eich, who is at the center of rumors that three Mozilla board members have resigned due to his stance against gay marriage. Eich donated to a California campaign opposing Proposition 8 in 2008 which is a great reminder of the long memory of the Internet. There have been no accusations of his actions since that time.

The Wall Street Journal quickly reported that the resignations had nothing to do with the rumors and that the board members left because they supported another CEO candidate who was committed to what they consider a more forward thinking strategy.

Eich also quickly addressed the rumors by publishing a blog post apologizing for any offense and affirming his commitment to equality. He wrote, “I know some will be skeptical about this, and that words alone will not change anything. I can only ask for your support to have the time to “show, not tell”; and in the meantime express my sorrow at having caused pain.” He also outlined a number of goals for keeping Mozilla a diverse and fair workplace and showing support from employees, “A number of Mozillians, including LGBT individuals and allies, have stepped forward to offer guidance and assistance in this. I cannot thank you enough, and I ask for your ongoing help to make Mozilla a place of equality and welcome for all.”

Yet if the Wall Street Journal report is the truth one has to wonder why the rumors even circulated and what exactly constitutes a public figure, the kind whose contribution record more than half a decade ago matters. Especially when there haven’t been any workplace accusations involved.  Barring actual offense behavior is it acceptable to depart a situation just because you don’t like someone’s politics? Isn’t that discriminatory in itself? At the least, it feels somewhat like the middles school lunchroom.

Those lines are blurring more and more, and becoming increasingly heated. Spates of lawsuits have been filed recently against private business owners who have refused services to LGBT people – which is decidedly discriminatory. But campaign contributions? When did conversations about the subjects we’re not supposed to discuss at the Thanksgiving table become ok in the boardroom?

Hopefully the board members really did leave over candidate choice, but if that’s the case it would be nice to hear it from them. So far the silence is letting the conversation wander off into places it doesn’t belong.