Daily Archives: March 31, 2015



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NEWS

Indy Star Blasts Gov. Mike Pence Over 'Religious Freedom' Law: 'Fix This Now'

Indy Star Blasts Gov. Mike Pence Over 'Religious Freedom' Law: 'Fix This Now'
The Indianapolis Star is holding Gov. Mike Pence (R) accountable for the state’s controversial “religious freedom” law.

It’s this important. Tuesday’s front page. #rfra pic.twitter.com/jem4Cf5BWg”

— Karen Ferguson (@karenferguson33) March 31, 2015

On Thursday, Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which allows businesses to discriminate against people by citing religious beliefs if they get sued. The LGBT community is often targeted by this type of discrimination.

Tuesday’s bold front page features an editorial blasting Pence for signing the law, and urging him to fix the damage it has already done to the Hoosier State.

We are at a critical moment in Indiana’s history.

And much is at stake.

Our image. Our reputation as a state that embraces people of diverse backgrounds and makes them feel welcome. And our efforts over many years to retool our economy, to attract talented workers and thriving businesses, and to improve the quality of life for millions of Hoosiers.

Major companies, such as Apple, Walmart and Salesforce, have since announced they will boycott doing business in Indiana. Two states, Washington and Connecticut, said they will ban state-funded travel to Indiana.

The newspaper’s editorial board is calling for the passage of a statewide human rights law that would protect the LGBT community and take a clear stand against discrimination. Indianapolis’ Republican mayor Greg Ballard took similar measures on Monday by signing an executive order that forces businesses to abide by the city’s human rights ordinance, which prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation.

So far, the state’s Republican leaders have defended the law and remained steadfast in saying it does not discriminate. In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Pence said the law is “not a license to discriminate” and “simply reflects” federal legislation. Other state GOP leaders said they were “shocked” that their religious freedom law was seen as anti-gay, and that they simply didn’t anticipate the backlash.

But Indy Star has a strong message for these political leaders:

We urge Gov. Pence and lawmakers to stop clinging to arguments about whether RFRA really does what critics fear; to stop clinging to ideology or personal preferences; to focus instead on fixing this.

Governor, Indiana is in a state of crisis. It is worse than you seem to understand.

Read the full editorial at Indy Star.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/31/indy-star-blasts-pence-ov_n_6974220.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

NEWS

Washington State, Portland to Ban Government-Funded Travel to Indiana

Washington State, Portland to Ban Government-Funded Travel to Indiana

Add Washington State and Portland to the growing list of cities and states banning government-funded travel to Indiana in the wake of its newly passed “religious freedom” bill allowing businesses to discriminate against gay customers. 

Via Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s website:

Inslee“I find Indiana’s new law disturbing, particularly at a time when more and more states and people in America are embracing civil rights for everyone. Washington will join other states and cities in opposing this law and I will impose an administration-wide ban on state funded travel to Indiana.

“Indiana’s law appears to legalize private discrimination. Washington state fought against this very thing in a case Attorney General Bob Ferguson brought against a florist.

“We in Washington stand for equality. I applaud those companies and organizations that have spoken out against the law and said they would not locate or expand operations in Indiana. I want to invite all those organizations, and anyone interested in a state that promotes equality and opportunity, to come visit Washington. We are open for business, and open to all people.”

Portland’s KGW reports:

Hales“Gov. Mike Pence and the Indiana Legislature have to understand that such blatant discrimination against their own citizens cannot stand. We, as a country, have moved so far from those shameful practices of the past,” [Mayor Charlie] Hales said. “It is regrettable that the great city of Indianapolis, led by its very effective mayor, Greg Ballard, is being dragged down by the reactionary efforts of the State Legislature and the governor.”

Hales acknowledged that a number of other states have passed similar laws, but most of those states also make a point to specifically forbid discrimination against gays.

“A lot of progressive business leaders have said, ‘We have to stand for equality in order to attract a quality workforce,'” Hales added.

Hales said he won’t be attending the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis next year.

San Diego Councilmember Todd Gloria has called on his city to join the boycott and Minneapolis-Saint Paul mayors have blasted the law as well. Stay tuned for more. 


Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2015/03/washington-state-portland-to-ban-government-funded-travel-to-indiana.html

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