Apple gay rights is taking center stage as the Cupertino, California firm puts pressure on the Arizona's governor Jan Brewer to veto an anti-LGBT bill. He is scheduled to visit Apple's new Sapphire crystal plant in Mesa.
Apple Inc. leads the pack among several organizations and corporations speaking out against the bil: The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Technology Council, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, along with the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. 83 firms have inked the memorandum in opposition to the bill, requesting for a veto.
The bill would give way for employers to use religious beliefs against the LGBT community.
Apple is not the only firm to take a strong stand on this issue. Delta Airlines and AT&T are prodding legislators against the move saying it means bad business for companies.
Steve Hart, Marriott's Arizona area vice president wrote in a letter to Governor Jan Brewer, "It is exceedingly difficult for us to sell Arizona as a destination against a backdrop of negative attention suggesting certain travelers or conference attendees would not be welcome here -- as a matter of law."
Reports say that Apple Inc. has put in a phone call to the governor personally and this is expected to carry weight on his decision. Apple is providing 2000 jobs in Mesa, Arizona at its newly opened sapphire plant and that means big business for Arizona.
Advertising plays a big role in how a company is perceived as gay-friendly along with the influence of media and friends of the company. Apple has long been a "strongly" gay-friendly firm, according to a poll taken in 2008. In Apple's case, its corporate policies such as being one of the first firms to offer gay and lesbian couples employee benefits, Macnn.com reports.
Here's a video speech of Tim Cook, CEO of Apple talking about discrimination:
source: YouTube
According to polls, Samsung, on the other hand, enjoys significantly less support from the gay and lesbian groups and is believed to be at the bottom of the ladder of gay-friendly firms.
