A freshly signed controversial Indiana law that effectively legalizes
discrimination against same-sex couples by those who object on religious
grounds was no mistake and will stay on the books, the state’s governor
asserted Sunday.
“We're not going to change the law," Indiana Gov. Mike Pence flatly
said on ABC’s “This Week,” about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act,
which Pence says is meant to prevent the government from impinging on a
person’s religious beliefs. “I was proud to sign it into law.”
Critics across the nation have claimed that the contentious legislation
serves only as a means for businesses and the government justify
discriminating against people on the basis of their sexual orientation
by those who disagree on account of their own religious values.
Pence repeatedly denied that the law was “about discrimination,” saying
instead that it was “about empowering people to confront government
overreach.”
But, after being asked at least six times by “This Week” host George
Stephanopoulos if the law would make it legal for a merchant in Indiana
to refuse service to gay customers, Pence refused to answer directly.
“Look, the issue here is still is tolerance a two-way street or not,”
he said, adding gruffly that the widespread condemnation of the law was
simply “shameless rhetoric.”
“Come on,” an irritated Pence said after Stephanopoulos asked him
whether he felt it should be legal in Indiana to discriminate against
gays and lesbians.
“Hoosiers don’t believe in discrimination,” Pence responded.
Pence, nevertheless, said he would not be willing to add sexual
orientation to the list of characteristics against which discrimination
is illegal.
“I will not push for that. That’s not on my agenda, and that’s not been
an objective of the people of the state of Indiana,” he said.
Pence, who signed the controversial act on Thursday, added that he
would actually be willing to sign another piece of legislation that
doubles down on the goal of the law, to leave no question about its
motive.
“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, then I'm open to that,” he said.
“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.”
The White House, meanwhile, joined the growing chorus of criticism of
the law Sunday with President Obama’s chief spokesman saying that the
governor’s unbridled defense of the act “raises some questions about the
wisdom of” the legislation.
"It should be easy for leaders in this country to stand up and say that
it is wrong to discriminate against people just because of who they
love,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on the same
program.
In the days since Pence signed the measure into law, he, as well as the
entire state of Indiana, have been roundly blasted by businesses and
organizations around the nation, as well as on social media with the
hashtag “#BoycottIndiana.”
Already, consumer review service Angie’s List has said it will suspend a
planned expansion in Indianapolis because of the new law.
The Indianapolis-based NCAA also released a statement saying it was
concerned that the law would hurt the athletes and visitors in town for
the Final Four games of its men's basketball tournament.
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