Apple has been urging Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to dismiss a bill that would allow business owners to use their religious beliefs as a reason to deny any services to gays and lesbians. Last week the bill was passed and has been since heavily criticized for discriminating against gays.
The Cupertino-based tech giant has been speaking out against the bill since they now conduct business in the state. Late last year, Apple announced plans to open a manufacturing plant in Mesa Arizona. Sources have reported that the plant will be used to manufacture the displays for the company’s next iPhone.
The manufacturing plan in Arizona will be used for building sapphire displays, which could be for the company’s next-generation iPhone or possibly the iWatch. The factory will create more than 2,000 jobs in engineering and construction. This new plant will run on 100% renewable energy from day one.
An Apple spokeswoman confirmed that the company reached out to Brewer about vetoing Arizona SB 1062.
In November, Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote an editorial pushing the U.S. government to approve the anti-gay discrimination bill. At the time, Cook wrote:
“So long as the law remains silent on the workplace rights of gay and lesbian Americans, we as a nation are effectively consenting to discrimination against them,”
Last year, Apple was among several tech companies who applauded the Supreme Court after it ruled in favour of marriage equality.
[via The Wall Street Journal]
