The US state of Indiana has passed a new law last week allowing for the discrimination of GLBT people on the basis of “religious freedom”
Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act will not be changing despite critics saying it allows business owners to discriminate against members of the GLBT community.
Pence, speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” sought to counter criticism from protesters who have spilled onto the streets of Indianapolis and others, including some corporations, after signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act on Thursday.
“There has been shameless rhetoric about my state, about this law, and about its intention all over the Internet,” Pence said. “It does not apply to disputes between individuals, unless government action is involved.”
Supporters say the law, which was passed overwhelmingly by the Republican-led state legislature, will keep the government from forcing business owners to act against their strongly held religious beliefs.
Opponents say it may allow vendors to discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and that its reach is also much broader than other states’ religious freedom laws.
Article | Levi Joule.
