A growing number of businesses are slamming a controversial Indiana law critics say allows discrimination against gay people.
NASCAR and Warren Buffett, the billionaire Berkshire Hathaway investing guru, are the latest to speak out about the law.
The nation’s leading stock car racing organization, which is set to hold a major race Indianapolis in July, said it’s disappointed by the so-called religious freedom law signed last week by Gov. Mike Pence.
“We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance,” said NASCAR, which is based in Florida and North Carolina. “We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race.”
Buffett, meanwhile, said that while he wasn’t familiar with the law’s specific language, sexual orientation should be protected by law.
“I think if people can exercise discrimination based on sexual orientation, then it’s wrong,” he told CNN.
Critics say the law Pence signed last week ensures businesses have the right to refuse service to gay, lesbian and transgender people on religious grounds. The governor and his supporters have said the law is designed to protect “religious freedom” and is not discriminatory.
A group of CEOs representing nine leading Indiana businesses wrote to Pence and legislative leaders on Monday to express their concern about the impact of the law on the “reputation” of Indiana.
“As we seek to attract and retain great talent from Indiana and around the world, it is critical that we make it clear that Indiana is the welcoming state we all believe it to be,” they wrote. The letters was signed by top execs at insurer Anthem and health tech giant Roche Diagnostics, among others.
Here is a roundup of elected officials, business executives and companies — from Indianapolis to Silicon Valley — that have spoken out:
Starbucks: The coffee chain was the latest big name brand to publicly condemn the law on Monday.
“We join with others opposing any state or federal legislation that permits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and encourage policymakers everywhere to embrace equality,” Starbucks said in a statement.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy: Malloy took the unusual step Monday of signing an executive order forbidding state-funded travel to Indiana, saying his administration is “sending a message that discrimination won’t be tolerated.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook: In an op-ed published Sunday, Cook said such laws are “very dangerous” and contrary to America’s founding principles.
“On behalf of Apple, I’m standing up to oppose this new wave of legislation,” wrote Cook, who came out as gay last year.
Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle: The proposed campus expansion project in Indianapolis is “on hold” following the bill’s passage.
PayPal co-founder Max Levchin: Opposing the law is “a basic human decency issue,” Levchin told CNN.
“I’m asking my fellow CEOs to look at how they’re thinking about their relationship with the state and evaluate it in terms of the legislation that’s getting signed into law,” he said.
Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman: Yelp will “make every effort” to expand its corporate operations in states that do not have such laws on the books. “These laws set a terrible precedent that will likely harm the broader economic health of the states where they have been adopted.”
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff: The law is an “outrage,” he said, and that his company will “dramatically reduce” its investments in Indiana.
Eli Lilly: “We certainly understand the implications this legislation has on our ability to attract and retain employees. Simply put, we believe discriminatory legislation is bad for Indiana and for business.”
Eli Lilly employs more than 11,700 workers in Indiana, mostly in Indianapolis.
NBA, WNBA, Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever: “The game of basketball is grounded in long established principles of inclusion and mutual respect. We will continue to ensure that all fans, players and employees feel welcome at all NBA and WNBA events in Indiana and elsewhere.”
NCAA: “We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees.”
Gen Con: The people that run the video game convention said the law would “factor into our decision making on hosting the convention in the state of Indiana in future years.”
Gen Con brought 56,000 people to the state last year, according to CEO Adrian Swartout.
