Apple's Tim Cook blasts 'religious freedom' laws
SAN FRANCISCO — Apple CEO Tim Cook, who on Friday tweeted his outrage against a new "religious freedom" law in Indiana, stepped up his condemnation of what he called a "very dangerous ... wave of legislation" in an op-ed article on the Washington Post's website late Sunday.
On Thursday, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was quickly condemned by tech leaders led by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff on the grounds that it was both anti-gay and a detriment to hiring the best and the brightest.
On Friday, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, whom Cook has said should reject a similar bill, instead said that his state's measure — which was approved 24-7 in the Arkansas Senate — would meet his approval.
"This bill is designed to protect the religious freedoms of all Arkansans," Hutchinson said Friday. "It's no different than legislation that has passed in 20 other states, from Illinois to Connecticut. Arkansas is open for business, and we recognize and respect the diversity of our culture and economy."
But having laws on the books that would protect business owners from being sued for not providing services to gay men and lesbians flies in the face of being "open for business," Cook said in his lengthy piece.
"These bills rationalize injustice by pretending to defend something many of us hold dear. They go against the very principles our nation was founded on, and they have the potential to undo decades of progress toward greater equality," wrote Cook, the leader of Silicon Valley's $740 billion tech juggernaut who last year came out as gay.
"America's business community recognized a long time ago that discrimination, in all its forms, is bad for business. 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."
Cook went on to say that although he was raised Baptist in Alabama with a strong tie to his faith, it never equated to "an excuse to discriminate."
Added Cook: "The days of segregation and discrimination marked by 'Whites Only' signs on shop doors, water fountains and restrooms must remain deep in our past. We must never return to any semblance of that time. America must be a land of opportunity for everyone.
"This isn't a political issue. It isn't a religious issue. This is about how we treat each other as human beings. Opposing discrimination takes courage. With the lives and dignity of so many people at stake, it's time for all of us to be courageous."