How Apple, Delta, and others influenced Arizona governor’s vetoing ‘antigay’ bill

Once the Arizona state house passed SB1062, also known as the religious freedom bill, a measure that allows business owners with strong religious beliefs to deny service to gays and lesbians, governor Jan Brewer had to hear from a long list of groups and activists requesting that she veto the measure immediately.

The loudest voice came the weekend following the bill’s passing, as an “unnamed person” from Apple spoke on the phone with Governor Brewer and requested that she veto the measure.

The reason why the iPhone maker’s request carried the most weight is because the company is set to officially open a sapphire-producing factory in Mesa. This project alone would employ 700 people, and create 1,300 construction and management jobs.

“Apple is indisputably one of the world's most innovative companies and I'm thrilled to welcome them to Arizona,” Brewer said in a statement at the time. “Apple will have an incredibly positive economic impact for Arizona and its decision to locate here speaks volumes about the friendly, pro-business climate we have been creating these past four years.”

Both Apple and a Brewer spokeswoman confirmed that a call took place and the matter discussed. But Apple was not alone in stating their concerns over the bill, as plenty of other businesses stated their opinion on the bill's passing, including American Airlines, Delta, and Marriott, all of which warned that an anti-gay law could be bad for business on the grounds that the measure runs counter to their internal policies aimed at ensuring an equal workplace.

The companies also said that the law could prompt businesses to relocate outside the state, a concern for Brewer as Arizona has been struggling economically for some time.

While the Apple-Brewer discussion was private, Doug Parker, CEO of American Airlines, published his letter to Brewer, writing “There is genuine concern throughout the business community that this bill, if signed into law, would jeopardize all that has been accomplished so far.” He added, “Our economy thrives best when the doors of commerce are open to all.”

Aaron Baer, a spokesman for the Center for Arizona Policy, which backed the measure, said in a statement: “The attacks and the misinformation and outright lies have nothing to do with what Senate Bill 1062 is all about.” He said that the bill would allow residents to run their businesses in accordance with their faith, and that it bring the state “in line with what a majority of courts and circuit courts have ruled.”

For those curious about how the other big companies of the world approach this matter, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a gay-rights advocacy group based in Washington, 88% of Fortune 500 companies have policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and 62% provide domestic partner health insurance to their employees.

The governor had until Friday to make her decision; she vetoed it Wednesday evening.

Story via tech.fortune.cnn.com