Apple urges Arizona governor to veto anti-gay bill

Apple, which recently opened a manufacturing plant in Arizona, said it has urged Gov. Jan Brewer to veto a bill that would make it possible for businesses based on their religious beliefs to deny service to gays.

By Salvador Rodriguez

Feb. 25, 2014 10:03 AM PT

Apple is urging Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to veto a bill that would make it possible for business owners to use their religious beliefs as a reason to deny service to gays and lesbians.

The Cupertino tech giant weighed in on the matter because it now conducts business in the state. Late last year, Apple announced plans to open a manufacturing plant in Mesa, Ariz. News reports have suggested that the plant may be used to make the screens for the company’s next iPhone.

An Apple spokeswoman confirmed to the Associated Press the company had reached out directly to Brewer about vetoing Arizona SB 1062.

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This isn’t the first time Apple has spoken up on behalf of the gay community.

Last year, Apple was among several tech companies that lauded Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality for gay couples.

And in November, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook wrote an editorial urging the U.S. government to approve a bill that would prohibit anti-gay discrimination in the workplace.

“As we see it, embracing people’s individuality is a matter of basic human dignity and civil rights,” Cook wrote at the time.

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