The bill’s supporters contended that it protected religious freedom, but opponents, who included Benioff and a number of other tech CEOs (who actively tried to dissuade Indiana Gov. Mike Pence), countered in a letter that “we not only disagree with this legislation on a personal level, but the (law) will adversely impact our ability to recruit and retain the best and the brightest talent in the technology sector. Technology professionals are by their nature very progressive, and backward-looking legislation such as this will make the state of Indiana a less appealing place to live and work.”
Among those who signed the letter were John McDonald, CEO of CloudOne; and Bill Johnson, CEO of Salesvue. Benioff has a history of personal and corporate philanthropy and activism, and is a major donor to San Francisco’s UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.