Salesforce C.E.O. Marc Benioff is getting tough with Georgia governor Nathan Deal over the state’s pending Religious Freedom Bill. It was passed by the Georgia state legislature Wednesday night. This legislation allows “faith-based organizations” to discriminate based on a “sincerely held religious belief” pertaining to marriage specifically.
Benioff tweeted Thursday,
“Once again Georgia is trying to pass laws that make it legal to discriminate. When will this insanity end?”
Last month Benioff said he would take his business out of the state if the law passed (Salesforce currently has a conference scheduled in Atlanta, and Benioff’s company employs 16,000 people). He posed a question to his followers on Twitter last month:
“Should Salesforce divest from Georgia if the bill is signed into law?”
80% of his followers said yes. Today, the C.E.O. tweeted,
“The economy of Georgia is now in the hands of @GovernorDeal as he considers an anti-gay law.”
Benioff is doubling down now. Salesforce published a statement dropping the hammer.
“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.”
Mic drop. Your move, Governor Deal.
(via Vanity Fair)
