Lovely.
Despite it being 2015, one Indiana Governor wants to set some civil rights back to the stone ages.
That’s because Gov. Mike Pence just signed a bill on Thursday that could allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT individuals under the guise of Religious Freedom.
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or SEA 101, would make it so that a company could cite its own religious beliefs as a reason for refusing service to someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Upon signing the bill, the Republican issued a statement, saying:
“Today I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith. The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action.”
So taking away someone else’s rights is totally the way to go…
[ Related: Jessa Duggar Doesn’t Like Christians Who Don’t Believe In Hell ]
Luckily, not all religious institutions are so narrow-minded. In fact, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) told Mike that if he signed the bill, they might reconsider holding their 2017 assembly in Indiana on account of the bill’s potential to ostracize their peers.
Similarly, some celebrities like Jenna Ushkowitz and Dustin Lance Black took to Twitter to voice their concerns over the news, saying:
.@GovPenceIN, is it going to be legal for someone to discriminate against me & others when we come to the #FinalFour? http://t.co/uBlKbIf8YK
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) March 23, 2015
A sad day for all in #INDIANA. Gov.Pence, you did not lead today. You were not courageous. You took the path of… http://t.co/meHBLHIf78
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) March 26, 2015
If your business refuses service to LGBT people based on religious freedom, please let me know. I’m more than happy to spread the word!
— Alec Mapa (@AlecMapa) March 26, 2015
this disgusts me. http://t.co/mERg9kAaMo
— Jenna Ushkowitz (@JennaUshkowitz) March 26, 2015
What do U think about this wonderful news??
[Image via Gov. Mike Pence/Twitter.]
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