March 26, 2015
Gay Rights
The Republican-dominated Indiana House of Representatives and Senate have each approved the “religious freedom” bill, which will make it perfectly legal for state businesses to refuse service to LGBT customers under the guise of religious expression. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is expected to sign the bill into law today.
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| Gov. Mike Pence |
“The bill is about respecting and reassuring Hoosiers that their religious freedoms are intact,” Gov. Pence said Wednesday. “I strongly support the legislation and applaud the members of the General Assembly for their work on this important issue.”
Supporters of the bill claim they don’t hate gays and lesbians — they just want to be able to refuse wedding cakes and other wedding services to same-sex marriage ceremonies. However, opponents have expressed outrage that Indiana lawmakers would actually approve discrimination of any kind, then protect it under the pretense of religion.
The organizers of Gen Con, which traditionally draws thousands of gamers to Downtown Indianapolis restaurants and hotels each year, said they will consider moving the event elsewhere if Pence signs the bill into law.
“Legislation that could allow for refusal of service or discrimination against our attendees will have a direct negative impact on the state’s economy, and will factor into our decision-making on hosting the convention in the state of Indiana in future years,” Adrian Swartout, the owner of Gen Con LLC, told Pence in a letter.
Gay Rights
The chief executive of multi-million dollar tech giant Salesforce told Pence that his company would abandon its expansion plans and move out of the state if he signed the measure into law.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which also holds a convention in Indianapolis, told Pence it would cancel its 2017 convention there if the bill becomes law.
Jason Collins, who last year became the first openly gay active NBA player, asked Pence in a tweet whether it would “be legal for someone to discriminate against me and others when we come” to the NCAA Final Four in 2 weeks.
The Republican mayor of Indianapolis, Greg Ballard, also broke with Pence on the bill, saying it would put his city’s economy at risk.
“Indianapolis strives to be a welcoming place that attracts businesses, conventions, visitors and residents,” Ballard said Wednesday in a statement. “We are a diverse city, and I want everyone who visits and lives in Indy to feel comfortable here.”
Surprisingly, Indiana is not alone in its LGBT discrimination, as 18 others states have adopted similar measures. However, with Indianapolis vying to become a major player in garnering more sports and convention business, and with Gov. Pence considering a 2016 run for the presidency, the Republican-led bill to discriminate against gays and lesbians could end up dead on arrival.
Surprisingly, Indiana is not alone in its LGBT discrimination, as 18 others states have adopted similar measures. However, with Indianapolis vying to become a major player in garnering more sports and convention business, and with Gov. Pence considering a 2016 run for the presidency, the Republican-led bill to discriminate against gays and lesbians could end up dead on arrival. […..]
Proudly hateful AND Stuck-on-Stupid ta boot….smh.
Honestly, I can't say that I'm that suprised about Indiana. In fact, I suspect that most of those 18 states are among the Reddest (and Poorest) states in the country.
I'll do the research to see if I'm right.