California tech firm Salesforce, which has a large presence in Buckhead, called on Gov. Nathan Deal to veto House Bill 757 as the backlash against the “religious liberty” legislation heats up.
HALF MOON BAY, CA – MARCH 01: Jenna Wortham, The New York Times Magazine Staff Writer (L) and Marc Benioff, Chairman and C.E.O. of Salesforce, speak onstage at The New York Times New Work Summit on March 1, 2016 in Half Moon Bay, California. (Photo by Kimberly White/Getty Images for New York Times)
In a statement Thursday, the marketing technology company said the bill “creates an environment of discrimination and makes the state of Georgia seem unwelcoming to same-sex couples and the LGBTQ community.”
Backers of the bill say that’s not true and that it provides protections against discrimination.
Link: GOP majority in Georgia Legislature passes ‘religious liberty’ bill
Link: Weeks of debate ahead over Georgia ‘religious liberty’ bill
The company went on to say if the bill becomes law, “Salesforce will have to reduce investments in Georgia, including moving the Salesforce Connections conference to a state that provides a more welcoming environment for the LGBTQ community.”
Read the full statement here:
"Salesforce is calling on Governor Deal to veto HB 757 because the legislation creates an environment of discrimination and makes the state of Georgia seem unwelcoming to same-sex couples and the LGBTQ community. We were encouraged by Governor Deal's recent comments that he would veto any bill that allows the perception of discrimination and we are now calling on him to stand by his comments and move quickly to veto HB 757. If HB 757 is not vetoed and instead becomes law, Salesforce will have to reduce investments in Georgia, including moving the Salesforce Connections conference to a state that provides a more welcoming environment for the LGBTQ community."
Earlier Thursday, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, a vocal critic of the legislation who also opposed a similar bill in Indiana that led to boycotts of that state, tweeted: "One again Georgia is trying to pass laws that make it legal to discriminate. When will this insanity end?"
