Heavyweight companies are speaking out against US states which are introducing bills allowing discrimination against lgbti people on religious grounds. Indiana has signed a “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” into law, and a similar law awaits the Governor’s signature in Arkansas. Human Rights Campaign says there are currently more than 85 anti-lgbt bills in 28 state legislatures. Twitter has taken a strong stance, tweeting “We’re disappointed to see state bills that enshrine discrimination. These bills are unjust and bad for business. We support #EqualityForAll.” Tim Cook Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has tweeted that “Apple is open for everyone” and the company is “deeply disappointed” in Indiana's law. The openly-gay CEO adds in a piece in the Washington Post that the so-called "religious objection" legislation is dangerous and bad for business. “America’s business community recognized a long time ago that discrimination, in all its forms, is bad for business,” he says. “At Apple, we are in business to empower and enrich our customers’ lives. We strive to do business in a way that is just and fair. That’s why, on behalf of Apple, I'm standing up to oppose this new wave of legislation — wherever it emerges. “I’m writing in the hopes that many more will join this movement. From North Carolina to Nevada, these bills under consideration truly will hurt jobs, growth and the economic vibrancy of parts of the country where a 21st century economy was once welcomed with open arms.” The twitter hashtag #BoycottIndiana is trending and some businesses are refusing to invest in the state.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 31st March 2015 - 10:11am