Indiana Gov. Pence Signs Anti-Gay Religious Freedom Bill Into Law

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) did it. On Thursday, he signed a controversial religious freedom bill into law that protects business owners from being required to serve same-sex couples if they have religious objections.

Pence said signing the bill into law makes sure that "religious liberty" is completely protected in the state.

"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," Pence said in a statement.

A number of businesses strongly voiced opposition to the law. The large tabletop gaming convention Gen Con threatened to leave the state if Pence the bill, but is locked into a contract until 2020. Star Trek actor George Takei also warned that the law could result in a damaging boycott of the state.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/pence-signs-gay-marriage-religious-freedom-bill

[Roy Rolling]

1. Sharia Law

Isn't discrimination against LBGT people one of the tenets of Sharia Law?

The morons who crowed for anti-Sharia law legislation just made a Sharia Law.

[NorthCarolina]

21. Based on the definition of Sharia Law, I can't

disagree with you.

[blkmusclmachine]

22. No, it's called "Biblical law," according to the Christian dominionists/Christian reconstructionists

The other part of it is killing gay people. And our "friends" like Kamala Harris in CA are putting genocide of gay people up for a popular vote. Because "bi-partisanship."

And if it passes, putting open genocide of other groups as proper CA law won't be far behind.

[workinclasszero]

26. Yup republican religious fanatics are okay

Last edited Fri Mar 27, 2015, 01:29 AM - Edit history (1)

with sharia law, as long as it's them making it!

This is anti american, anti freedom, anti constitution!

Boycott Indiana!

[stone space]

2. One church is already exercising their religious freedom in response.

Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Pence.

Church threatens to cancel over 'religious freedom' bill

http://election.democraticunderground.com/1218188752

[cstanleytech]

3. I hope Gen Con has a clause that lets them nullify their contract. nt

[derby378]

13. If they don't have one, they'll make one - that's what lawyers are for

And I hope to see Gen Con relocate to Texas in 2016 and beyond. We welcome them.

[muntrv]

4. Wait until a non-Christian owned business discriminates against Christian customers.

See how long that law lasts.

[valerief]

8. I'd love to see some very wealthy person (who can afford to not profit

from a small business) open a shop and sell some very attractive product at an obscenely low price. Said owner could demand customers PROVE they're not theists before being served. Or PROVE they're Pastafarians.

Of course, the Jesuserati would burn the place down a la KKK-style eventually.

[Orrex]

5. Hallelujah! Someone finally looking out for the oppressed Christian supermajority!

Praise be!

[caraher]

6. This thread is worthless without pictures

And boy, did the Christianist governer ever provide a doozy of a visual:

[Lars39]

20. And all seem to be wearing the same shit-eating grin.

[caraher]

30. Of course

Before this morning, they were unable to freely practice their religion(s)

[angrychair]

7. So what, fuck Pence

Don't get me wrong, the fact that any state legislature and governor signed a shit bill like this is stunning.
That being said, in order to return a profit to its investors, a business must sell a product or service. The smaller the number of customers, the harder it is to return a profit. The harder it is to stay in business.
Only small businesses, with few customers, will do anything stupid like this. No business with a state-wide or national presence would do this dumb shit. They can't afford the negative press. Not to mention, what are people going to do, set up gaydar at the front door of their business? Just don't do business with someone that is bigoted or racist or a misogynist. They go out of business. End of story.
You may not have to do business with LGBT people but as a supporter of LGBT rights, I don't have to do business with you. Have fun in in Bankruptcy Court!

[lancer78]

32. Dems tried to put in an amendment

that said if a business wanted to discriminate against LGBT, the business would have to put a sign in the window stating that fact.

[AngryOldDem]

35. I look for a grassroots movement to list these businesses on social media.

That idea was floated on a comments site on a webpage yesterday and I can see that happening. I think it's an excellent idea.

Businesses that do welcome everyone are getting prominent signage to that effect as well.

[alcibiades_mystery]

9. I hope the conventions that pledged to change venue follow through

The only thing these bastards understand is a kick in the wallet.

[turbinetree]

10. Yep

Its time to have some boycotts, he has a selective measure to discriminate,.
I wonder what his constitutes would do if they came from his state into another state and was carded and it says they are a resident of the state, then can the owner in the state they are visiting can they say leave we don't serve your kind---what would this hypocrite do and his legislature--what would they really do---I know----

[Zorra]

11. Boycott Indiana. nt

[Behind the Aegis]

12. Once again, they take aim at our equality.

I wish I could say I was surprised or disappointed, but I am not, I am simply numb.

[NoMoreRepugs]

14. shame on Corporate America

..."A number of businesses strongly voiced opposition to the law."

That should have read something along the lines of 'the majority of the S&P 500 voiced their opposition and disgust with the proposed legislation."

[It is Tuesday]

15. I remember the years of Colorado's infamous Amendment 2. Lessons were learned...

and it is gone now, thank goodness!

[asjr]

16. Reminds me of the signs in the Northeast during the

last century--"No Irish need apply"

[SCVDem]

17. Indy car teams

Why doesn't Penske, Andretti, Rahal and the other owners simply boycott the 500 race?

It's a good thing Jim Nabors isn't singing Back Home In Indiana any longer. I can imagine what his husband would say about that!

Screw Indiana! Anyone drafted by the Colts should refuse to sign due to this discrimination.

[Chipper Chat]

27. If Andrew Luck was Chris Kluwe he would find another team.

I hope Chris speaks up about this. He is one of my heroes.

[It is Tuesday]

18. Ironicially enough...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/indiana-allows-needle-exchange-program-to-stem-hiv-outbreak/ar-AAa0mWG

Indiana allows needle exchange program to stem HIV outbreak

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence authorized a short-term needle-exchange program and other steps Thursday to help contain the spread of HIV in a county tied to 79 new infections since January, all of them linked to intravenous drug use.

Pence issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency in Scott County, about 30 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. He ordered the state health department to set up a command center to coordinate HIV and substance-abuse treatment and establish a mobile unit to enroll people in a state-run health program.

Most of the infections involve people who shared a syringe while injecting a liquid form of the prescription painkiller Opana, according to state epidemiologist Pam Pontones.

Indiana law normally forbids needle-exchange programs, which allow people to turn in used hypodermic needles and get clean ones in an effort to keep diseases such as HIV and hepatitis from spreading. Pence says he opposes them as part of anti-drug policy.

Ironic, right?

[roamer65]

19. I am going to Chicago in the near future.

I'll make sure I drive through Indiana without spending a damn dime there, not even on the toll road.

[agtcovert]

23. Oh don't worry...

Our previous Republican governor privatized those toll roads so your money is going to (if I recall correctly) a Mexican company who handles the management and maintenance of the roads.

[Chipper Chat]

28. Take Hwy 30 and avoid the toll fees.

You'll hit a lot of stoplights but, hey, you'll save $$ and you can tsop in Ohio for your McDonalds

[alcibiades_mystery]

29. I often have to drive back east through Indiana

I will make it a point to gas up before I enter the state. I will, of course, have to pay the tolls.

[William769]

24. Thank you sir for posting this.

Shame on DU for the lack of responses.

[hrmjustin]

25. Appalling and evil!

Kicking and reccing for exposure.

[lancer78]

31. I am waiting

for Christians to stop serving muslims and vice-versa. The radical right says being LGBT is a choice and therefore you can discriminate on that basis in their minds, but guess what, so is your particular religion.

[Kablooie]

33. Did you know there is a religious sect that encourages sex with children?

Back in the early 80's they had kids handing out pamphlets at public events and justified it based on their religious beliefs.
They stopped marketing themselves a little later and I'm sure their following is not what it was back then but ...
they may be able to have a resurgence in Indiana soon!

Religious beliefs trump governmental law in Indiana so why the hell not?
Oh wonderous day!

[treestar]

34. Unconstitutional

and makes no sense. How do they determine who is a gay couple? We can't dine out with same sex friends if the owner wants to call us gay? Stupid.

[bigworld]

36. From a purely political standpoint

How many businesses are really supporting and lobbying for such a measure? Maybe there's a cake shop in one town or a restaurant or two in Indianapolis, but I can't see too many places really lobbying hard for such a bill.

This measure by Pence makes zero financial (or political) sense, unless he's just trying hard to appeal to the RWNJ money machine for a future campaign.