Where to begin with this story? There are so many angles and layers to the impact of this new legislation widely criticized as a “license to discriminate” against LGBT people. But Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says he didn’t anticipate…
“the hostility that’s been directed at our state.”
To coin a phrase, REALLY, QUEEN?! Pence has said repeatedly that the intense blowback against the new law is the result of a “misunderstanding driven by misinformation,” and disputes the law allows state-sanctioned anti-LGBT discrimination.
This Week host George Stephanopoulos TOTALLY grilled Pence this weekend. Pence argued that the bill’s intentions had been misrepresented in media coverage, and insisted he would not change the bill. Pence refused to answer two “yes or no” questions posed to him by Stephanopoulos over the discriminatory ramifications of the bill, including whether it would allow a florist to deny services to a gay couple, as its supporters maintain. Pence said:
“There’s been shameless rhetoric about my state and this law and its intention all over the internet. People are trying to make it about one particular issue, and now you’re doing that as well.”
Stephanopoulos then asked the question several more times.
“It’s a simple yes or no question…”
Still unanswered, Pence then said:
“The issue here is: is tolerance a two-way street or not? There’s a lot of talk about tolerance in this country having to do with people on the left. Here Indiana steps forward to protect the constitutional rights and privileges of freedom of religion for people of faith in our state, and this avalanche of intolerance that’s been poured on our state is outrageous.”
The LGBT group Lambda Legal put out a statement after Pence’s appearance, fact-checking several of the governor’s statements and calling on him to support LGBT protections. From Jennifer Pizer, national director of Lambda Legal’s Law and Policy Project:
“If Governor Pence meant it when he said that SB101 isn’t intended to allow discrimination against LGBT people, then why were amendments designed to make that explicit repeatedly rejected during the legislative process? If he truly means what he says, then he and the legislature should work together to add this language: ‘This chapter does not establish or eliminate a defense to a claim under any federal, state or local law protecting civil rights or preventing discrimination.’ And the Indiana government should include gay and transgender people within Indiana’s protections from discrimination.”
Companies are reacting to this legislation but none hits home harder than Angie’s List. It has been headquartered in Indianapolis since it was founded 20 years ago. The $315 million corporation which lets users review local businesses, has been planning a $40 million renovation of its own, moving its headquarters across town and adding 1000 new jobs over five years, but that expansion is now in jeopardy over this new law. They are threatening to go elsewhere –but where would they move as the wave of anti-LGBT bills across the country continues to spread. Lawmakers have introduced more than 85 anti-LGBT bills in 28 states.
So far this year 34 anti-LGBT bills in nine states have been defeated or failed to meet key legislative deadlines, but one besides Indiana has passed in Arkansas. Supporters have been tweeting their opinions (as has the opposition) and companies are taking a stand including Apple‘s openly gay CEO, Tim Cook in the Washington Post:
“America’s business community recognized a long time ago that discrimination, in all its forms, is bad for business. At Apple, we are in business to empower and enrich our customers’ lives. We strive to do business in a way that is just and fair. That’s why, on behalf of Apple, I’m standing up to oppose this new wave of legislation — wherever it emerges. I’m writing in the hopes that many more will join this movement. From North Carolina to Nevada, these bills under consideration truly will hurt jobs, growth and the economic vibrancy of parts of the country where a 21st-century economy was once welcomed with open arms.”
Can I get an amen?
The post #BoycottIndiana: As The Backlash Heats Up, Gov Pence Is Shocked At “The Hostility That’s Been Directed At Our State” appeared first on World of Wonder.