Opinion

Consider consequences of ‘religious freedom’ bill

An editorial from The Register-Herald 

BECKLEY, W.Va. — A word to the wise: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is taking aim at Georgia lawmakers for what he considers to be an anti-discrimination law making its way through the legislative labyrinth in Atlanta.

Dubbed the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), the proposed bill has passed the Georgia Senate and is on its way to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk.

Benioff is promising “economic consequences.”

“We will deliver a rolling thunder of economic sanctions against the state,” Benioff said recently.

Benioff isn’t alone. Last week, Georgia-based telecom company 373K said it planned to relocate if the bill was signed into law. Benioff is enlisting the help of chief executives of Coca-Cola, Home Depot and UPS — all with a significant presence in the state.

Why are such businesses concerned? Well, for one, they recognize that a great many of their employees are friendly to or are members of the LGBT community. They also recognize discrimination for what it is: ugly, hateful and a poor reflection on a corporate culture.

Salesforce employs about 1,000 people in Georgia and hosts an annual conference in Atlanta that draws about 15,000 clients for three days. Coca-Cola, Home Depot and UPS employs tens of thousands of people.

Which brings us back home…

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