Pepsi Co. among many companies who want lawmakers to repeal HB 1523

Pepsi Co. is one of many businesses that participated in the Human Rights Campaign by signing a letter to encourage lawmakers to repeal House Bill 1523.

The letter stated…

"Put simply, HB 1523 is not a bill that reflects the values of our companies. We are disappointed to see legislature and governor's office pass discriminatory legislation."

The letter went on to say… “this is not a direction in which states move when they are seeking to provide successful, thriving hubs for business and economic development. "

Also, “discrimination is wrong, and we believe it has no place in Mississippi or anywhere in our country."

This is the full written letter:

Dear Governor Bryant, Lieutenant Governor Reeves & Speaker Gunn:

We write with concerns about legislation signed this week, HB 1523, which would allow individuals, religious organizations and private associations to use religion to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Mississippians in some of the most important aspects of their lives, including at work, at schools, in their family life and more. Put simply, HB 1523 is not a bill that reflects the values of our companies.

We are disappointed to see the legislature and governor’s office pass discriminatory legislation. The business community, by and large, has consistently communicated to lawmakers at every level that such laws are bad for our employees and bad for business. This is not a direction in which states move when they are seeking to provide successful, thriving hubs for business and economic development. We believe that HB 1523 will make it far more challenging for businesses across the state to recruit and retain the nation’s best and brightest workers and attract the most talented students from across the country. It will also diminish the state’s draw as a destination for tourism, new businesses, and economic activity.

Discrimination is wrong, and we believe it has no place in Mississippi or anywhere in our country. As companies that pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming to all, we strongly urge you to repeal this bill.

Sincerely,

Wes Bush, Chairman, CEO and President of Northrop GrummanChip Bergh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Levi Strauss & Co. Craig Bromley, President, John Hancock Financial Alex Dimitrief, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, GE Sandy Douglas, Executive Vice President & President, Coca-Cola North America, The Coca-Cola Company Steve Joyce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Choice Hotels International, Inc. Andrew N. Liveris, CEO and Chairman of the Board, The Dow Chemical Company Bob Page, Chairman & CEO, Replacements, Ltd. Walter Robb, Co-CEO, Whole Foods Market Brian Tippens, Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Robb Webb, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation Tony West, EVP Government Affairs, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, PepsiCo