Tag: Indiana

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White House Comments On Anti-Gay “License To Discriminate” Law In Indiana

White House press secretary Josh Earnest addressed the recent anti-gay “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” in Indiana to reporters today.

Via MetroWeekly:

“I have seen that there are a number of private businesses and nonprofit organizations that have said that the signing of this law prompts them to reconsider doing business in the state of Indiana,” Earnest said. “All those business and some of those who are considering having conventions in Indiana have raised concerns about whether all of their employees can count on being treated fairly in Indiana.

“I think that is a testament to the kind of reaction I think a lot of people all across the country had, which is that the signing of the bill doesn’t seem like it’s a step in the direction of equality and justice and liberty for all Americans. Again, that’s not just the view of the administration, I know that’s the view of the Republican mayor of Indianapolis and a whole host of nonprofit and private sector companies who have legitimate concerns about the impact of this legislation.”

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#BoycottIndiana Movement Continues To Grow

The anger and outrage over the recently passed “license to discriminate” law continues to grow and snowball.

Yelp, the crowd-sourcing review site released a statement saying, “it is unconscionable to imagine that Yelp would create, maintain, or expand a significant business presence in any state that encouraged discrimination by businesses against our employees, or consumers at large.”

Global drug giant Eli Lilly spokeswoman Janice Chavers told CNN, “We certainly understand the implications this legislation has on our ability to attract and retain employees. Simply put, we believe discriminatory legislation is bad for Indiana and for business.”

And Twitter has seen tons of reactions to the discriminatory law:

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San Francisco Mayor Bans Travel By City Staff To Indiana

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has decided to halt all non-essential travel on the city’s behalf to the state of Indiana over the “license to discriminate” legislation signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence yesterday.

Via press release:

“We stand united as San Franciscans to condemn Indiana’s new discriminatory law, and will work together to protect the civil rights of all Americans including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

“Effective immediately, I am directing City Departments under my authority to bar any publicly-funded City employee travel to the State of Indiana that is not absolutely essential to public health and safety.

“San Francisco taxpayers will not subsidize legally-sanctioned discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people by the State of Indiana.”

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Audra McDonald Tweets Indiana Governor Over Anti-Gay “Religious Freedom” Law

Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed sweeping anti-gay “religious freedom” legislation into law today.

And with concerts coming up in the Hoosier state, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald took to Twitter to school the conservative governor over the anti-gay law.

This made my night…

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Indiana: Gaming Convention Could Leave State Over Anti-Gay Legislation

As predicted, the anti-gay legislation SB 101 – already passed by Indiana state legislature and headed to Gov. Mike Pence’s desk – is on the verge of having major negative economic impact on the state.

Gen Con, one of Indianapolis’ largest annual conventions has written to the governor threatening to move the event.

“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,” said Adrian Swartout, owner and CEO of Gen Con LLC, in a letter sent to Pence just hours after lawmakers sent the measure to his desk.

“Gen Con proudly welcomes a diverse attendee base, made up of different ethnicities, cultures, beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds,” she wrote. “We are happy to provide an environment that welcomes all, and the wide-ranging diversity of our attendees has become a key element to the success and growth of our convention.”

Gen Con attracts over 50,000 attendees each year, bringing more than $50 million to Indianapolis’ economy.

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Indiana: George Takei Calls For Boycott Over SB 101

As anti-gay legislation in Indiana – SB 101 – heads to Gov. Mike Pence’s desk, George Takei called for a boycott of the state should the bill become law:

The Governor of Indiana has indicated that he will sign SB101—a law that allows businesses to discriminate against customers based on the proprietors’ religious beliefs. This bill is strikingly similar to one proposed—and vetoed due to public outcry—in Arizona. Such laws harken back to a time where our society was divided, and people of color were banned from white establishments. That is not our nation any longer, and those are not our values.

To the governor and to the legislators in Indiana who support this backward-looking and divisive bill, I say to you this: If it goes into effect, Indiana will be marked as a state where certain people are not welcome, and so we will not visit. We will not spend. And we will not attend events, including GenCon, the world’s largest gaming convention, held in Indianapolis each year. Many fans here are gamers, Governor Pence, and we will demand the convention move out of your state.

Fans, friends and especially you gamers, let Governor Pence know how you feel about this bill. Give him a call: 317-232-4567.

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Indiana: House Passes “License To Discriminate” Bill

(image by Mimeographs)

The Indiana State House has just passed the controversial “license to discriminate”/”religious liberty” legislation by a vote of 63 – 31.

The bill allows businesses and private parties to legally deny services to LGBT folks based on “deeply held religious beliefs.”

The bill now heads to Gov. Mike Pence’s desk. Pence has indicated he intends to sign the legislation.

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Indiana Set To Pass “License To Discriminate” This Monday

Indiana is set to pass it’s “license to discriminate” legislation against LGBT folks this Monday according to Buzzfeed.

The bill basically allows businesses to turn away LGBT customers based on their “sincerely held religious beliefs.” In other words, if you don’t like gays – just say you’re Christian and you don’t have to serve them.

“I would predict the bill passes on Monday,” Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma told BuzzFeed News in a phone interview Thursday.

Described by one of his critics as “the most powerful person in Indiana when the legislature is in session,” Bosma had just wrapped up a House vote in which his Republican majority shot down six amendments to soften the bill, all from Democrats, in 60-to-30 votes. “I think the votes on the amendments were a strong sign of how the bill will fare in final passage,” said Bosma.

Bosma has tentatively scheduled a final vote for Monday, March 23.

At a news conference earlier this week, Gov. Mike Pence said, “I strongly support the legislation and will sign it if it reaches my desk.”

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Indiana agrees to recognize terminally ill lesbian’s marriage

U.S. District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen has approved an agreement between the state of Indiana and an Indiana lesbian couple, Veronica Romero and Mayra Yvette Rivera, to have their Illinois marriage recognized in light of Rivera’s diagnosis of terminal ovarian cancer.

The couple’s lawsuit named Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller; Indiana Health Commissioner William VanNess; and Lake County Clerk Michael A. Brown, who issues marriage licenses.

A joint stipulation was filed Wednesday in which Indiana agreed to recognize the couple’s marriage and, in the event of Rivera’s death, issue a death certificate listing her as married and recording Romero as the surviving spouse.

The Indiana State Department of Health also agreed to assist local health departments, funeral homes, physicians, coroners and others involved in completion of a death certificate to understand their duties in the couple’s case.