Wed 1 Apr 2015 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Under immense pressure, Indiana’s Governor is now promising to support an amendment to the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act to say it does not allow businesses to discriminate against lgbti people. Mike Pence claims it’s a “mischaracterisation” that it would allow such discrimination. However the law clearly allows for individuals or corporation to cite religious beliefs as a defence when sued by a private party, potentially allowing businesses turning away lgbti people for religious reasons. "I don't believe for a minute that it was the intention of the General Assembly to create a license to discriminate, or a right to deny services to gays, lesbians or anyone else in this state. And it certainly wasn't my intent," Pence says. "But I can appreciate that that's become the impression - not just here in Indiana, but all across this country. And we need to confront that." Human Rights Campaign says the amendment needs to ensure that lgbt people are truly protected. There has been significant backlash over the bill, with businesses and consumers saying they will boycott the state. A White House spokesperson, Josh Earnest, says the law has backfired because it goes against most people's values. He believes the state is in damage control mode due to the outcry and boycotts. "I think it's what has provoked the previously defiant governor to consider changing a portion of the law."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 1st April 2015 - 9:11am