Indiana law won’t be anti-gay, governor says
Seeks quick amendment to widely condemned religious freedom law
To say anything less than a repeal is going to fix it is incorrect.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Tuesday that he wants legislation on his desk by the end of the week to clarify that the state’s new religious-freedom law does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Meanwhile, Arkansas lawmakers defied criticism and followed Indiana’s lead to pass a similar law. It now goes to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who has said he will sign it into law.
Pence defended the Indiana measure as a vehicle to protect religious liberty, but said he has been meeting with lawmakers “around the clock” to address concerns that it would allow businesses to deny services to gay customers.
The governor said he does not believe “for a minute” that lawmakers intended “to create a licence to discriminate.
“It certainly wasn’t my intent,” said Pence, who signed the law last week.
The Indiana law prohibits any laws that “substantially burden” a person’s ability to follow his or her religious beliefs. The definition of “person” includes religious institutions, businesses and associations.
Although the legal language does not specifically mention gays and lesbians, critics say the law is designed to protect businesses and individuals who do not want to serve gays and lesbians, such as florists or caterers who might be hired for a same-sex wedding.
In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Indiana officials appeared to be in “damage-control mode” following an uproar over the law.
Businesses and organizations have voiced concern over Indiana’s law, and some states have barred government-funded travel to the state.
Democratic legislative leaders said the proposed clarifications by Pence and Republican lawmakers would not be enough.
“To say anything less than a repeal is going to fix it is incorrect,” House Minority Leader Scott Pelath said.
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma agreed with the governor’s call for swift action.
If enacted, the Arkansas proposal would prohibit state and local governments from infringing on a person’s religious beliefs without a “compelling” reason.
But unlike in Indiana, Arkansas lawmakers said they will not modify their measure.
Over the past two days, hundreds of protesters filled Arkansas’ Capitol to oppose the measure, holding signs that read “Discrimination is not a Christian Value” and “Discrimination is a Disease,” and chanting “Shame on You” at Ballinger after the measure was endorsed by a House committee.
Similar proposals have been introduced in more than a dozen states.