Warren Buffett Speaks Out Against Anti-Gay Discrimination

(RTTNews) - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has Wednesday joined other prominent business figures in voicing concerns about Indiana's controversial religious freedom law.

Buffett told CNN that it is wrong to for people to exercise discrimination based on sexual orientation.

"I have not read the law, and I've heard of some discussion on television. To the extent that it could in any way be prejudicial to gays or lesbians, I'd be opposed to that," he said.

Indiana passed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which gives businesses freedom to deny services to gays, lesbian and transgenders on religious grounds. The law was signed last week by Indiana Governor Mike Pence.

The bill received overwhelming support from both chambers of the Republican-controlled state legislature.

Many say the law will give business owners, landlords and others the right to refuse service to gays under the guise of religious protection.

However, Pence has argued that the law is designed to protect "religious freedom" and is not discriminatory. He has called on lawmakers to pass legislation when it is moved later this week.

"It would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone," Pence said in a press conference in Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Gay weddings were legalized in Indiana last year. Gay rights groups are concerned that the new law may be used by businesses who do not want to provide their services to gay marriages.

On Monday, Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook, who is openly gay, had lambasted the religious freedom laws as "very dangerous" and discriminatory as well as contrary to America's founding principles.

A group of CEOs representing nine leading Indiana businesses also wrote to Pence and legislative leaders to express their concern about the impact of the law on the "reputation" of Indiana, according to CNN.