IBM Voices Strong Opposition to Proposed Louisiana Religious Freedom Bill
BATON ROUGE, La., April 17 (UPI) — IBM voiced “strong opposition” to Louisiana’s proposed religious freedom bill, asking Gov. Bobby Jindal to work with state lawmakers to ensure the legislation is not discriminatory.
IBM vice president James Driesse said such a bill would create a hostile environment for the tech company’s employees and prospective employees.
“IBM has made significant investments in Louisiana including most recently a technology services delivery center in Baton Rouge, creating new jobs for Louisiana workers. We located the center in Baton Rouge because we believe Louisiana has great talent and would continue to be a rich source of such talent,” Driesse said.
“However a bill that legally protects discrimination based on same-sex marriage status will create a hostile environment for our current and prospective employees, and is antithetical to our company’s values. IBM will find it much harder to attract talent to Louisiana if this bill is passed and enacted into law. ”
The warning is the latest from industries across the country to states considering controversial religious freedom laws. Recently passed laws in Indiana and Arkansas have faced strong opposition and forced lawmakers to make changes.
Critics say the law gives businesses free reign to discriminate against anyone, including gay, lesbian and transgender people, on religious grounds.
Jindal responded to the IBM letter, saying IBM leaders may be “confused about what the bill would accomplish in practice” and said the law would not legalize discrimination in any way.
“All the bill seeks to do is ensure the STATE cannot discriminate against any individual or entity on the basis of that persons sincerely held religious view about traditional marriage,” he wrote. “The bill absolutely does not provide a right for an individual or business owner to discriminate against gays or lesbians.”
