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U.S. NEWS Thursday 6 February 2020
Companies offer rebuke of Tennessee's anti-LGBT adoption law

By JONATHAN MATTISE question, especially when
Associated Press we have bills like what were
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — introduced this year."
Almost three dozen big The new law would assure
companies and more than continued taxpayer fund-
100 small businesses in Ten- ing of faith-based foster
nessee on Wednesday pre- care and adoption agen-
dicted economic backlash cies even if they exclude
from a newly enacted state LGBT families and others
adoption law and other based on religious beliefs.
proposals that target LGBT Current adoption prac-
people, with one company tices in Tennessee are not
saying plans to add jobs expected to change, as
in Nashville are "in doubt" some faith-based agencies
over the legislation. had already not allowed
The letter from the likes of gay couples to adopt.
Amazon, Nike and Nissan Lee, a religiously conserva-
to state officials offered tive businessman, argued
the biggest rebuke to date the law would better pro-
from the business com- tect religious liberty. It was
munity after GOP Gov. Bill the first proposal he signed
Lee last month signed the into law this year.
adoption bill and made The state House passed the LGBT advocacy group leaders and representatives from businesses gathered at the Cordell Hull
it effective immediately. bill last year and the Senate legislative building in Nashville on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 for a news conference to oppose a
Representatives from Dell, passed the adoption bill on state adoption law and other proposals that target the LGBT community.
Warner Music Nashville, the first day of legislative Associated Press
Postmates, Nashville Soc- session last month, sending
cer Club spoke at a Nash- it to Lee for approval. science" as long as other hasn't lost any business yet tors warned that "passing
ville news conference an- "We thought we had more child-placing agencies due to the adoption law, discriminatory legislation
nouncing the letter. time this session," said Joe and the state keep provid- but has "fielded many, would limit revenue for the
Donna Drehmann of Post- Woolley, CEO of the Nash- ing readily available alter- many calls" about meet- city of Nashville and the
mates said the food deliv- ville LGBT Chamber. "I am natives. ings and conventions that state of Tennessee by in-
ery company might not go surprised and upset that The law kicks in at a time have shortlisted or are con- hibiting our ability to secure
through with plans to add that is the first bill that the when Tennessee contin- sidering Nashville, said cor- events like those and future
to its base of 650 account Tennessee Senate took up ues to grow, with booming poration senior vice presi- events such as league mar-
managers, support work- this legislative session, es- Nashville setting the pace. dent for public affairs An- quee events, NCAA games,
ers and tech employees in pecially when you look at The Nashville Convention drea Arnold. award shows and countless
Nashville, saying the com- the issues that this state is and Visitors Corporation The NHL's Nashville Preda- potential concerts."q
pany is "alarmed by the Lee facing."
administration's anti-LGBTQ Email records show a pri-
agenda" and that bills tar- vate outside legal opin-
geting that community are ion was forwarded to the
"just plain wrong" and pro- governor's senior staff by
mote "flagrant hatred." a member of the Southern
"We do look at expand- Baptist Convention's pub-
ing additional technology lic policy arm. The opinion
jobs here in Nashville," said was written by a group of
Drehmann, Postmates di- attorneys with expertise on
rector of service quality and religious liberty laws, and
training. "However, that is in said "religious providers
doubt and that is always in need not violate their con-