article_snippet: Openly-gay Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote: 'In total, there are nearly 100 bills designed to enshrine discrimination in state law. '
article_snippet: On behalf of Apple, I'm standing up to oppose this new wave of legislation. 'nearly 100 bills designed to enshrine discrimination in state law truly will hurt jobs, growth and the economic vibrancy of parts of America where a 21st-century economy was once welcomed with open arms.'
article_snippet: Openly-gay Apple CEO Tim Cook said such bills 'rationalize injustice' by 'pretending to defend' religious freedom, which actually eroding the freedoms of others.
article_snippet: For example a florist who refuses to supply flowers for a same sex ceremony.
article_snippet: But opponents, including Cook, claim these laws form part of a wave of discriminatory powers that threaten to reverse years of progress on equality issue .
article_snippet: It will be up to the courts and judges to decide what constitutes 'substantial', but critics fear that the broad scope of federal law and the tough tests that must be passed to override federal law, mean that federal law will allow business owners to openly discriminate in how business owners operate.
article_snippet: Star Star  will support legislation to 'clarify' the law, and expects the law to go before the General Assembly This Week.
article_snippet: While Star  did not discuss the wording of the new bill, Star  has previously said the intention of the law is to block government intervention in matters of conscience, rather than allowing people to discriminate against others.
highlights_snippet: Apple CEO said bills 'rationalize injustice' by pretending to defend religion .
  
highlights_snippet: bills ' will take U.S. back to days of 'Whites Only' signs in stores, Apple CEO said .
  