Pence On 'Religious Freedom' Law: "We Will Fix This"
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Acknowledging his state has "come under the harsh glare of criticism" over a controversial new "religious freedom" law, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said he wants state lawmakers to pass new legislation that makes clear businesses cannot discriminate against gay and lesbian couples.
Pence said the new Religious Freedom Restoration Act "does not give license to anyone to deny service to gay and lesbian couples," but he said due to "mischaracterization and confusion" about the intent of the law, it needs to be fixed.
Critics have said the law would give businesses legal protection for denying service to patrons, based on the owners' religious beliefs.
Facing backlash from across the country – including businesses and conventions threatening to leave the state, and some musicians and comedians canceling shows in Indiana – Pence said he has been working "around the clock" with lawmakers to amend the law, and clarify its intent.
The NCAA, which is headquartered in Indianapolis, and is hosting the Final Four basketball tournament there this weekend, also had raised concerns about the RFRA.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, the first openly gay Fortune 500 chief executive, called the Indiana law "dangerous," and an attempt to "rationalize injustice by pretending to defend something many of us hold dear."
Meanwhile, businesses in Indiana are dealing with the fallout.
Hundreds of signs proclaiming all are welcome are being snapped up by Whiting Indiana businesses. Beggars Pizza manager Crystal Kelly says she had no hesitation about putting up one of the signs up.
Local Chamber of Commerce president Tom Dabertin says more communities are following suit.
"I got word that this afternoon that the Crossroads Chamber, which represent about 700 members in the Merrillville/Crown Pointe area, now is taking a stand as well against this law."
Most Whiting residents say they disagree with the law. Those that support it didn't want to share that on camera. Dabertin isn't surprised.
"Regrettably, our governor seems to be out of tune with the state," Dabertin said.
Pence said he believes such opinions are the result of the media "misunderstanding" the law.
"I don't believe for a minute that it was intention of the General Assembly to create a license to discriminate; or right to deny services to gays, lesbians, or anyone else in this state," the governor said.
Pence said the Indiana law mirrors the federal RFRA signed by President Clinton in 1993, and the intent of Indiana's law was to allow people to conduct business based on their religious beliefs, without government interference, but not at the expense of gays and lesbians.
While Pence did not specify whether Indiana would provide protected legal status to gay and lesbian residents, as many other states with similar religious freedom laws have done, the governor said he wants legislation sent to his desk by the end of the week to make clear it "does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone."
"I believe this is a clarification, but it's also a fix," Pence said. "We will clarify this in the days ahead and will fix this and move forward."
"We want to make it clear that Indiana is open for business," he added. "Hoosier hospitality is not a slogan, it's our way of life."
Pence said he does not support discrimination of any kind.
"I abhor discrimination. The way I was raised was like most Hoosiers, with golden rule; that you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you," he said. "I believe in my heart of hearts that no one should be harassed or mistreated because of who they are, who they love, or what they believe."
The governor said he found some of the reporting about the new law "deeply offensive," but said the law needs to be made clear so Indiana can move forward.
