Apple Unplugs From Anti-Gay ‘Conservative Christian’ Alabama Lobbyist

Apple, Inc. reportedly has terminated its relationship with an anti-gay lobbyist in Alabama who billed himself as a “conservative Christian.”

Before he was a lobbyist for Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Jay Love was an Alabama Republican State Representative. In his campaign ads, Love billed himself as a “conservative Christian” who opposed same-sex marriage and liberal values.

“Jay Love is running for Congress to defend our values,” the voiceover in a 2008 Love campaign ad that referenced the California Supreme Court striking down Prop 8 said. “Jay Love will stand up to the liberals and fight for what’s right. He’ll defend the unborn [and] traditional marriage.” The ad also promised that Love will bring “the kind of Christian conservative change Congress really needs, right now.”

As a lawmaker, Love went as far as sponsoring a 2009 resolution that praised Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean for her comments against same-sex marriage.

But the Huffington Post’s Amanda Terkel today reports that Apple has broken its ties with Love.

“Apple, whose CEO Tim Cook is gay and from Alabama, told The Huffington Post that Love is no longer with the company,” Terkel writes. 

“Jay Love does not work for Apple nor does he do any lobbying on our behalf,” Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet told the Huffington Post. 

Ben Cooper, board chair of Equality Alabama, told the Washington Blade Apple has already replaced Love.

“It is my understanding that Apple has terminated their contract with Jay Love and has hired Greg Jones,” Cooper told the Blade.

Will Love become the next “example” anti-gay groups will use to claim anti-Christian discrimination? 

Some responses to the news via Twitter:

 

 

Image of Tim Cook by Mike Deerkoski via Flickr and a CC license