The so-called “religious freedom” movement wages on in state politics, and Georgia is poised to be the next unfortunate target. But billionaire Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff isn’t taking the blow to justice sitting down.
The pending Religious Freedom Bill passed through state legislature last week, and would allow any broadly defined “religious group” to discriminate based on a “sincerely held religious belief.” If that sounds vague and wildly open to interpretation, it is.
Related: These Georgia Florists Owe It To Jesus To Deny Gay People
All that stands in the way of Georgia becoming the twenty-first state to adopt this thinly-veiled, fear-based legislature is the signature of Governor Nathan Deal.
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But some opponents of the bill are making it clear that Deal’s signature will have a direct negative affect on the state’s economy, giving the governor a clear ultimatum.
Benioff has promised that if the bill is signed into law, he’ll take all of his business out of the state.
He’s fired off a series of Tweets on the subject:
Should Salesforce move https://t.co/rlf9D7UkcF if @JoshMcKoon's anti gay bill 757 passes the Georgia legislator?
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) February 26, 2016
It's time to stop discrimination in Georgia, and tell @GovernorDeal to Veto HB757. Equal is equal. pic.twitter.com/EZpqd4QJJv
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) March 21, 2016
It's time for discrimination to stop in Georgia. It's time to tell @GovernorDeal to please veto hb757. pic.twitter.com/x1s8lnJEZZ
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) March 21, 2016
Salesforce put out this official statement: “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.”
This isn’t the first time Benioff has put his money where his mouth is. Last year he fought hard against similar legislation in Indiana. Ultimately, that bill was signed into law by Governor Mike Pence.
But once it became law, Benioff ramped up his outcry even louder, ultimately resulting in Pence approving a provision of the measure that explicitly prevents business from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
So if Georgia Governor Nathan Deal thinks the outcry will die down if he signs, he should reconsider.
Other business leaders like Richard Branson and Michael Dell have also spoken out against the Georgia bill.
Jayson Dahl
Tim Kolman
Glücklich
Richard Bronson? Jesus Christ.
Does the writer mean SIR RICHARD BRANSON, with an “A,” founder of Virgin Group?
GayEGO
Veto the bill Nathan Deal! Do not ruin the Georgia Economy by making a bad decision to discriminate against American taxpaying citizens.
mezzacanadese
I wish more leaders would follow in his footsteps. If you ask me, Marc Benioff is a hero. He gives so much back to the community. It would be foolish of Governor Neal to pursue this unfair legislation.
dinard38
I would be surprised if Nathan Deal approved this legislation. I think he’s gonna veto it. The Atlanta area is very popular for many conventions, and I would assume that Georgia would get the same pushback similar to what happened in Indiana. Also, Georgia is becoming a heavy hitter in movie production (a few days ago, they shut down a stretch of downtown to shoot a scene for the upcoming movie starring Dewayne Johnson). A spokesperson from the BBB warned that if this bill passed, many movie production companies vowed to move out of Georgia. They are building this mass production company just south of Atlanta that is suppose to bring in a ton of jobs to the area. Deal would be foolish to rock the boat.
But then again, this is Georgia. Outside of the progressive Atlanta metro, it’s still the deep South and that deep South mentality. We’ll see how this plays out.
Juanjo
Benioff is not alone here in opposing this exercise in religious bigotry. The NFL has also indicated it is not amused. Apparently the conversation was to the point – No Super Bowl if this becomes law.
Chuck
Kentucky just passed a similar bill. So I refuse to spent any of my money in Kentucky. The businesses that I use go to is gay friendly. I was personally told by the owner that my money is just as good as the next guys, so your always welcome. The owner does understand why I won’t be coming back any time soon.
Maybe one day soon these idiot politicians will wake up, and STOP passing these bills. They hurt everyone in those states. Less business means less taxes collected. If a city doesn’t have the tax revenues, they can’t pay there bills. Which in turn means cut backs. Less services, less employees, and higher unemployment. The get the message!
Glücklich
@Chuck:
Hadn’t heard – or forgot – about KY. That’s too bad. Headin’ to Cincinnasty on business next month and staying over the weekend to visit friends (I like Cincy). It’ll make me think twice about spending money over the bridge outside of the airport and Anchor Grill.
Daniel-Reader
Shouldn’t we vote on the punishment for policitians who violate other people’s human rights? Isn’t that the proper thing to do? Lifetime imprisonment or forfeiture of all assets, for example. Why do they get to enrich the lives of their families by harming other people’s families? Shouldn’t the millions of people being harmed get the final say?
Mack
Speaking out is one thing, actually doing something about it is something else. Businesses need to move from those states in order to make a real impact. I know it’s tough to do that, but unless you do then your comments were worthless.
He BGB
Being religious is fine but you can’t make laws for all the people based on magical thinking. You can’t make laws from faith in something that may or may not be real. That’s why there is a separation of church and state. The rednecks are mad because equal marriage was passed. Most could give a hoot about the bible.
Glücklich
@Mack:
I agree and there is plenty of recent precedent for large US companies moving their HQ state-to-state (for favorable tax/regulatory environments):
• Chiquita from Cincinnati, OH to Charlotte, NC
• GE from Fairfield, CT to Boston
• ConAgra from Omaha to Chicago
and probably others I can’t think of that didn’t involve M&A.
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