Indiana's new law allows "religious" discrimination against LGBTs. Next project, CHURCH OF THE DIVINE, where we refuse to serve bigots.— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) March 28, 2015
Bad News Just Keeps Coming For Indiana Over “License To Discriminate” Law
Indiana's LGBT discrimination law is bad for business: @EliLillyCo, @salesforce, @yelp http://t.co/87wZ6dtbeM pic.twitter.com/6mZcAxeaa6— CNNMoney (@CNNMoney) March 27, 2015
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.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Bans City-Funded Travel To Indiana
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| 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.
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.
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.