Ellen DeGeneres, Ashton Kutcher, Tim Cook condemn Indiana over ‘religious freedom’ law
A number of big names including Ellen DeGeneres, Tim Cook and Ashton Kutcher have condemned a new law in Indiana that permits discrimination against gay people.
The Governor of Indiana, Mike Pence, this week signed into law the controversial ‘Religious Freedom Restoration Act’, which gives people the right to discriminate against gay people on the grounds of religion.
The law has largely been met with condemnation – with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and the Mayor of San Francisco Ed Lee both announcing boycotts of the state
A number of celebrities have also chimed in – with out TV host Ellen DeGeneres tweeting: “For anyone who is refused service under #Indiana’s new law, you deserve better. Acceptance and progress take time. But they always arrive.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote: “Apple is open for everyone. We are deeply disappointed in Indiana’s new law and calling on Arkansas Gov. to veto the similar #HB1228.
“Around the world, we strive to treat every customer the same — regardless of where they come from, how they worship or who they love.”
Two and a Half Men star Ashton Kutcher added: “Indiana? Seriously? Really? Bravo Salesforce for taking a stand. Hope more companies follow.”
Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek reposted his photo from the NOH8 campaign, adding: “If you say you love this country for its freedoms, but want to deny gays the same freedoms you enjoy, you sound like a hypocrite…”
Prominent YouTube star and author John Green added: “The law Indiana governor Mike Pence is signing today legalizes discrimination against LGBT people. It’s horrific.
“As a Hoosier, I’m deeply saddened and embarrassed. A government exists to protect its citizens; instead, it is legalizing their oppression.”
For anyone who is refused service under #Indiana‘s new law, you deserve better. Acceptance and progress take time. But they always arrive.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 28, 2015
Apple is open for everyone. We are deeply disappointed in Indiana’s new law and calling on Arkansas Gov. to veto the similar #HB1228.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 27, 2015
Around the world, we strive to treat every customer the same — regardless of where they come from, how they worship or who they love. — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 27, 2015
Indiana? Seriously? Really? Bravo Salesforce for taking a stand. @benioff Hope more companies follow. https://t.co/g8K9DNZjps — ashton kutcher (@aplusk) March 27, 2015
Given what happened in Indiana, it’s time for this #ThrowbackThursday, along with what I tweeted about 4 years ago… pic.twitter.com/BI8CB60bVn
— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) March 27, 2015
The law Indiana governor Mike Pence is signing today legalizes discrimination against LGBT people. It's horrific: https://t.co/xLoiOBWdpi
— John Green (@johngreen) March 26, 2015
Miley Cyrus previously branded Governor Mike Pence an “a-hole” for signing the law.
