Indiana has passed a new law that has gay issues (Photo : REUTERS/Tony Gentile)
Indiana's new law, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which permits organizations to refuse employment to gays on religious grounds, has been called discriminatory by a number of companies, including Angie's List, Salesforce.com, Apple and Yelp.
In what could be the latest development, Angie's List has stalled the planned $40 million expansion of its Indiana-based headquarters, terming the implications of the law partial.
"Angie's List is open to all and discriminates against none and we are hugely disappointed in what this bill represents," Chief Executive Bill Oesterle said.
Meanwhile, the so-called "Religious Freedom Bill" was the brainchild of the Republican led-state legislature. The overwhelmingly passed bill was signed into law by Indiana Governor Mike Pence, a Republican on Thursday.
The move is against the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, feel many top company honchos.
Salesforce.com Inc., CEO Marc Benioff has informed that the company is "canceling all programs that require our customers/employees to travel to Indiana to face discrimination."
Benioff tweeted on Thursday, making it evident that the organization is offended with the Indiana legislature's move, according to Bloomberg.
Among other companies who opposed the law, Apple Inc., and Yelp Inc., are the most notable. Apple CEO Tim Cook is the first openly gay American CEO.
The recent rush of lawmakers to oppose the GLBT initiatives is noteworthy.
In a similar move, the Arkansas Senate has approved a resembling bill overwhelmingly. Governor Asa Hutchinson, who is also a Republican, has vowed it would be converted into law, The Huffington Post reported.
The lawmakers have strongly opposed the GLBT community expansion, saying that the nature of the community is against religious beliefs.
Many GLBT members have, however, frequently mentioned that God never discriminates depending on sexual orientation.
Matthew Vines, the writer of the book God and the Gay Christian, says, "Sexuality is a core part of what it means to be a relational person, and to condemn LGBT people's sexuality outright damages their ability to be in relationship with all people - and with God."
The debate is contemporary.
