Tag: LGBT discrimination

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Indiana: NBA Legend Charles Barkley Calls Foul On SB101

Indiana’s SB101, signed into law Thursday by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R), has former NBA legend Charles Barkley calling for the NCAA to move the NCAA Final Four tournament out of Indiana.

The newly enacted law “prohibits state or local governments from substantially burdening a person’s ability to exercise their religion,” according to The Indianapolis Star.

In essence, the law gives businesses a legal foundation to refuse service to LGBT individuals in the name of religious freedom.

“Discrimination in any form is unacceptable to me,” Barkley said in a statement Friday afternoon. “As long as anti-gay legislation exists in any state, I strongly believe big events such as the Final Four and Super Bowl should not be held in those states’ cities.”

In addition, another former NBA star – Reggie Miller – tweeted his disappointment over “legalized” discrimination in his adopted home state.

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Indiana: Angie’s List Rethinks $40 Million Expansion Due To SB101

The popular business review website, Angie’s List, has been based in Indianapolis, Indiana, since 1995.

The $315 million corporation has had a $40 million renovation on it’s schedule, which would include moving the main offices across town and adding 1000 new jobs over five years.

Now, however, it seems that the state lawmakers and Republican Governor Mike Pence’s new Indiana “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” have put those renovations (and the $40 million in economic impact to the city) on hold.

“Angie’s List is open to all and discriminates against none and we are hugely disappointed in what this bill represents,” CEO Bill Oesterle said in a statement today, adding, the expansion is “on hold until we fully understand the implications of the freedom restoration act on our employees, both current and future.”

The company announcement added it “will begin reviewing alternatives for the expansion of its headquarters immediately.”

Good job, Gov. Mike Pence and legislators.

You’re really doing a heck of a job.

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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Bans City-Funded Travel To Indiana

Mayor Ed Murray with George Takei

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced a ban on travel to Indiana by city officials today, in light of the passage of Indiana’s anti-gay “license to discriminate” legislation – S.B. 101.

“Seattleites know that discrimination has no place in our City – that’s just equality 101.” – Seattle Mayor Ed Murray

Via press release:

Indiana’s S.B. 101 doesn’t reflect the values of our City. Seattle has been a leader in the fight to protect civil rights and ensure equality for all people – no matter who you are, or who you love. This is why I am ordering that none of our taxpayer dollars should go toward supporting this discriminatory law. To those in Indiana today who are working hard in the fight for equality – know that Seattle stands with you as you continue your efforts to end discrimination and protect civil rights for everyone.

The executive action will ban all work-related and city-funded travel to the state of Indiana.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has issued a similar executive order for his city, and more are lining up.

According to King5 News, Mayor Murray made his announcement after meeting with actor and LGBT activists George Takei and his husband Brad Altman last evening.

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Washington State Florist Fined $1,000 For Refusing Service To Gays

Baronelle Stutzman

Remember the florist in Washington state who refused to sell a gay couple flowers for their wedding?

Remember how the haters screamed that the gays were going to ruin the florist by taking her home and livelihood away?

Yeah. It ended up a whopping $1,001 fine.

From the AP:

Benton County Superior Judge Alexander Ekstrom’s ruling gives Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers and Gifts in Richland, Washington, 60 days to pay the state for her refusal to serve Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed when they sought to buy wedding flowers in 2013.

Stutzman, who had sold flowers to Robert Ingersoll for years, knew he was gay and said when he sought to buy wedding flowers that the marriage went against her beliefs as a Southern Baptist. After they were refused flowers, Ingersoll and Freed went ahead with a smaller wedding than they had planned. They got married in their home with 11 guests and flowers from another florist.

In a February ruling, Ekstrom found that Stutzman’s refusal to provide flowers because of sexual orientation violated Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws.

“My primary goal has always been to end illegal discrimination,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “I’m pleased that today’s ruling clearly prohibits discrimination against same-sex couples.”

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Indiana Restaurant Owner Is Happy To Turn Gay Customers Away

Kids, this is the honest face of discrimination. Ryan is proud that he doesn’t want gay dollars at his place of business.

I’m a little heartbroken to hear this, but I feel I have to post it because it’s real. This is what gay folks face.

Interesting that “Ryan” believes in his position but is afraid to say the name of his establishment on the air… Just saying. Courage in profile.

Radio hosts Kyle & Rachel were discussing the ‘Religious Freedom’ bill today when they received a call from a local business owner, Ryan, who not only supports the bill 100% but refused service to a gay couple before.

“Ryan” was so honest with his answers that he mentioned he once blamed a mechanical failure in the kitchen in order to refuse service to a gay couple!

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Arkansas Moves Closer To Legalizing “License To Discriminate”

Arkansas moved closer to becoming the next state to adopt an anti-LGBT “license to discriminate” law today.

Passed by a vote of 24-7 in the state Senate, the legislation would block state and local government from taking any action that substantially burdens someone’s religious beliefs unless a “compelling” interest is proven.

The bill has already been passed in the state House, but returns there for another vote due to minor changes.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has already indicated he plans on signing the bill into law.

Opponents say the mean-spirited legislation is a thinly-veiled effort to endorse bias against LGBT folks.

Civil rights leader Dr. Julian Bond issued this statement: “H.B. 1228 in Arkansas opens the door to a hateful past that some had thought this country had left behind. This legislation cloaks discrimination in the guise of religion–and it will mark people of color, LGBT Arkansans, religious minorities and women as second class citizens. Governor Hutchinson has a duty and a moral obligation to veto this legislation or the ghosts of the past will haunt his legacy.”

And Apple CEO Tim Cook offered this via Twitter:

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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.”