Indiana tries to tamp down outrage over "religious freedom" law
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana's Republican legislative leaders said Monday they're working on adding language to a new state law to make it clear that it doesn't allow discrimination against gays and lesbians, while Democrats countered that a full repeal is the only way to stem the widespread criticism.
The measure prohibits state laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his or her religious beliefs. The definition of "person" includes religious institutions, businesses and associations.
Businesses and organizations across the country have canceled future travel to Indiana, tabled expansion plans or criticized the legislation. Opponents have taken to social media with the hashtag #boycottindiana.
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long said during a Monday news conference that similar laws exist across the country and did not generate the backlash that Indiana has seen. Bosma blamed the reaction on a "mischaracterization" of the law by both opponents and some supporters.
"What we had hoped for with the bill was a message of inclusion, inclusion of all religious beliefs," Bosma said. "What instead has come out as a message of exclusion, and that was not the intent."
Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed the measure last week and defended it during a television appearance Sunday but did not directly answer questions about whether it allowed discrimination against gays and lesbians.
In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal on Monday, Pence said the bill had been "grossly misconstrued as a license to discriminate."
"I want to make clear to Hoosiers and every American that despite what critics and many in the national media have asserted, the law is not a 'license to discriminate,' either in Indiana or elsewhere. In fact, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act reflects federal law, as well as law in 30 states nationwide. Indiana's legislation is about affording citizens full protection under Indiana law," Pence wrote.
"As governor of Indiana, if I were presented a bill that legalized discrimination against any person or group, I would veto it. Indiana's new law contains no reference to sexual orientation. It simply mirrors federal law that President Bill Clinton signed in 1993."
Long stressed the new law is based on the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 that has been upheld by courts.
"This law does not and will not be allowed to discriminate against anyone," Long said.
The furor over the Indiana law stems in part from the fact that the state's civil rights laws don't ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Long and Bosma did not appear eager to add that language into the measure, noting that it is a big policy decision and that only four weeks remain in this year's legislative session.
Democratic House Minority Leader Scott Pelath said Indiana has been embarrassed and that a full repeal is needed, not "fig-leaf" fixes.
"That is the only thing that will start the process of reversing the damage that has been done to the people of this state," Pelath said.
The bill passed through the state's Republican-dominated Legislature, with no Democratic lawmakers supporting and only a handful of Republicans voting against it.
Some national gay-rights groups say the law allows lawmakers in Indiana and several other states where similar bills have been proposed this year to sanction discrimination as the nation's highest court prepares to mull the gay marriage question.
Supporters of the law insist the law will keep the government from compelling people to provide services they find objectionable on religious grounds.
The issue has had prompted reactions and repercussions nationwide:
- Arkansas is poised to follow in Indiana's footsteps, as Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said he'll sign a measure moving through the state's Legislature.
- Apple CEO Tim Cook said that so-called "religious objection" legislation being introduced in a number of states is dangerous and bad for business.
- The presidents of DePauw, Indiana and Valparaiso universities have joined their counterpart at Butler in criticizing Indiana's religious objections law and saying it has damaged the state of Indiana, its institutions and its citizens.
- North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory isn't backing bills giving exemptions to court officials who decline to perform certain marriages and offering other religious protections to businesses.
- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has asked Indiana businesses to consider moving to Chicago after Indiana's governor signed legislation that's been criticized over concerns it could foster discrimination against gays and lesbians.
- The Indianapolis-based NCAA has expressed concerns about the law and has suggested it could move future events elsewhere; the men's Final Four will be held in the city next weekend.
- Former NBA star and current basketball commentator Charles Barkley said big events shouldn't be held in any state with what he calls "anti-gay legislation."