Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) won’t say whether or not the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) was designed to discriminate against gay people, but he doesn’t have to. Pence was photographed while he signed the bill and was joined by several champions of the anti-LGBT community, reported RawStory.
The photograph contained Gov. Pence and anti-gay activists Curt Smith, Micah Clark, and Eric Miller. Each one is just as crazy as the next. Smith, who co-wrote the bill, compares homosexuality to bestiality, Clark says its a legitimate mental disorder, and Miller spread lies and misinformation stating that religious leaders will be arrested if they fail to preach against homosexuality.
I signed SEA 101 today to ensure religious liberty is fully protected under IN law http://t.co/vCOASZBZnH pic.twitter.com/CMFJh6aLDx
— Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) March 26, 2015
Democrats in the Indiana legislature have spoken out against the current state of GOP-controlled politics in Indiana.
“The first thing you have to do when you have a problem is admit you have a problem,” said Indiana Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane. “You have to be able to be willing to set aside all the politics. But in the years I’ve been here, I’ve seen it – the radicalism of the right wing has taken over.”
“When this bill was signed, right over here in the very office standing behind the governor was a mish-mash of every kind of anti-marriage-equality lobbyist that exists,” said State House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath. “If you read what they say [in support of] the bill, it becomes very clear that there is an intent to discriminate.”
The state of Indiana has received backlash from the rest of the country because of this hateful bill. Angie’s List has suspended the expansion of its headquarters in Indianapolis, the cities of Seattle and San Francisco have halted travel to the state, and comedian and Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman canceled a tour date in Indianapolis in protest of the anti-gay law.
Even NASCAR announced this afternoon that it does not condone or support the RFRA in Indiana. According to a statement from NASCAR:
NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance. We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race.
In terms of states having bad reputations, Indiana is giving Florida and Mississippi a run for their money. The focus is on Indiana and these Republicans are allowing their religious beliefs affect the reputation and economy of their state.
