Indiana religious freedom
Indiana religious freedom, With the NCAA men's basketball Final Four tournament set to begin later this week in Indiana, the state's new religious freedom restoration act is drawing added attention and scrutiny.
Critics say the law could allow businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers in the name of religious freedom. Governor Mike Pence defended the law in a weekend appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
"The question here is if there is a government action or a law that an individual believes impinges on their religious liberty, they have the opportunity to go to court, just as the Religious Freedom and Reformation Act that Bill Clinton signed allowed them, to go to court and the court would evaluate the circumstance under the standards articulated in this act," Pence said.
Pence said he expects a clarification bill to be introduced in the coming week.
“We're not going to change the law," he said, "but if the general assembly in Indiana sends me a bill that adds a section that reiterates and amplifies and clarifies what the law really is and what it has been for the last 20 years, than I'm open to that."
But Pence was adamant that the measure, slated to take effect in July, will stick. "We're not going to change this law," he said.The law quickly gained national attention after it was signed Thursday. The NCAA, which is based in Indianapolis, released a statement expressing concern that the law would negatively impact athletes and visitors in town for the Final Four games of its men’s basketball tournament.
"The NCAA national office and our members are deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our events,” the NCAA said in a statement.
“Moving forward, we intend to closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce."
Final Four action begins Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, featuring Michigan State against Duke and Kentucky facing Wisconsin. The championship game follows on Monday, April 6.
Basketball greats Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller weighed in.
“Discrimination in any form is unacceptable to me,” Barkley said in a statement, expressing the belief that major sports events should not be held in the state.
“I’ve never been big into politics but I’m very disappointed in my adopted home state of Indiana and the passing of Senate Bill 101.. I’ve always been about inclusion for all, no matter your skin color, gender or sexual preference.. We are all the same people, beautiful creatures,” Miller wrote in a social media post.The NBA and WNBA – along with the Pacers and Fever franchises, which play home games in the state – also issued a statement.
“The game of basketball is grounded in long established principles of inclusion and mutual respect. We will continue to ensure that all fans, players and employees feel welcome at all NBA and WNBA events in Indiana and elsewhere,” the statement reads.
The Twitter hashtag #boycottindiana drew viral attention in recent days, and figures such as Hillary Clinton called the law “sad.” Internet giant Angie’s List canceled a $40 million expansion project in Indiana.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post about the measure and similar efforts in other states.
“There’s something very dangerous happening in states across the country,” he wrote.
Critics say the law could allow businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers in the name of religious freedom. Governor Mike Pence defended the law in a weekend appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
"The question here is if there is a government action or a law that an individual believes impinges on their religious liberty, they have the opportunity to go to court, just as the Religious Freedom and Reformation Act that Bill Clinton signed allowed them, to go to court and the court would evaluate the circumstance under the standards articulated in this act," Pence said.
Pence said he expects a clarification bill to be introduced in the coming week.
“We're not going to change the law," he said, "but if the general assembly in Indiana sends me a bill that adds a section that reiterates and amplifies and clarifies what the law really is and what it has been for the last 20 years, than I'm open to that."
But Pence was adamant that the measure, slated to take effect in July, will stick. "We're not going to change this law," he said.The law quickly gained national attention after it was signed Thursday. The NCAA, which is based in Indianapolis, released a statement expressing concern that the law would negatively impact athletes and visitors in town for the Final Four games of its men’s basketball tournament.
"The NCAA national office and our members are deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our events,” the NCAA said in a statement.
“Moving forward, we intend to closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce."
Final Four action begins Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, featuring Michigan State against Duke and Kentucky facing Wisconsin. The championship game follows on Monday, April 6.
Basketball greats Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller weighed in.
“Discrimination in any form is unacceptable to me,” Barkley said in a statement, expressing the belief that major sports events should not be held in the state.
“I’ve never been big into politics but I’m very disappointed in my adopted home state of Indiana and the passing of Senate Bill 101.. I’ve always been about inclusion for all, no matter your skin color, gender or sexual preference.. We are all the same people, beautiful creatures,” Miller wrote in a social media post.The NBA and WNBA – along with the Pacers and Fever franchises, which play home games in the state – also issued a statement.
“The game of basketball is grounded in long established principles of inclusion and mutual respect. We will continue to ensure that all fans, players and employees feel welcome at all NBA and WNBA events in Indiana and elsewhere,” the statement reads.
The Twitter hashtag #boycottindiana drew viral attention in recent days, and figures such as Hillary Clinton called the law “sad.” Internet giant Angie’s List canceled a $40 million expansion project in Indiana.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post about the measure and similar efforts in other states.
“There’s something very dangerous happening in states across the country,” he wrote.