Apple's chief executive, Tim Cook, has joined other
tech firms in denouncing a law passed in the US
state of Indiana, which some argue could allow
businesses to discriminate against gay and lesbian
customers.
Governor Mike Pence signed a bill on Thursday that
prevents the state from restricting a person's ability
to exercise their religion.
"We are deeply disappointed in Indiana's new law,"
Mr Cook tweeted.
"Apple is open for everyone".
Mr Cook, who publicly acknowledged his sexuality
last October, saying that he was "proud to be gay",
added in another tweet: "Around the world, we
strive to treat every customer the same -
regardless of where they come from, how they
worship or who they love."
On Wednesday, tech executives wrote to Governor
Pence, urging him to veto the bill, known as the
Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Among the signatories was Marc Benioff, the boss
of US tech firm Salesforce, who subsequently
announced that his company was cancelling "all
programs that require our customers/employees to
travel to Indiana to face discrimination".
'Opening floodgates'
Civil rights campaigners across the US have come
out against the bill.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the
law was "opening the floodgates to discrimination
against LGBT people".
"The timing of this legislation is important to
understanding its intent: The bill was introduced as
a backlash reaction to achieving marriage equality
for same-sex couples in Indiana," said Jane
Henegar, executive director of the ACLU of Indiana.
However Indiana's governor insisted that the bill "is
not about discrimination".
"If I thought it legalised discrimination in any way in
Indiana, I would have vetoed it," he said in a
statement.
Nonetheless, business leaders in the state have
condemned the law.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce called the law
"entirely unnecessary" and said the "reactions to it
are not unexpected or unpredicted; passing the law
was always going to bring the state unwanted
attention".
BBC NEWS
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