To: Matt Pierce (IN-61) and Mark Stoops (IN-40)
Hoosiers Against Discrimination
On Friday, March 26, 2015, Gov. Mike Pence signed a bill into law that would allow anyone to use their religious beliefs to claim that they have a right to refuse to follow anti-discrimination protections and other laws.
SB 101 is a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) bill modeled off Arizona's SB 1062 that Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed last year following strong opposition from the local and national business communities. In response to Gov. Pence's public support of the bill, widespread discontent was voiced by business and faith communities: the GenCon convention, Indianapolis Colts player Pat McAfee, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the first openly gay NBA player, Jason Collins.
"The timing of this legislation is important to understanding its intent: The bill was introduced as a backlash reaction to achieving marriage equality for same-sex couples in Indiana," said Jane Henegar, executive director of the ACLU of Indiana. "We are deeply disappointed that the governor and state lawmakers have been tone-deaf to the cries of legions of Hoosiers – including businesses, convention leaders, faith communities, and more than 10,000 people who signed petitions against the bill – who say they don't want this harmful legislation to impair the reputation of our state and harm our ability to attract the best and brightest to Indiana."
In signing this petition, we speak out against this misguided legislation.
Religious freedom is a core American value, one that the ACLU has been defending since its founding. However, we will continue to oppose any attempts to use religion to discriminate."
SB 101 is a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) bill modeled off Arizona's SB 1062 that Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed last year following strong opposition from the local and national business communities. In response to Gov. Pence's public support of the bill, widespread discontent was voiced by business and faith communities: the GenCon convention, Indianapolis Colts player Pat McAfee, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the first openly gay NBA player, Jason Collins.
"The timing of this legislation is important to understanding its intent: The bill was introduced as a backlash reaction to achieving marriage equality for same-sex couples in Indiana," said Jane Henegar, executive director of the ACLU of Indiana. "We are deeply disappointed that the governor and state lawmakers have been tone-deaf to the cries of legions of Hoosiers – including businesses, convention leaders, faith communities, and more than 10,000 people who signed petitions against the bill – who say they don't want this harmful legislation to impair the reputation of our state and harm our ability to attract the best and brightest to Indiana."
In signing this petition, we speak out against this misguided legislation.
Religious freedom is a core American value, one that the ACLU has been defending since its founding. However, we will continue to oppose any attempts to use religion to discriminate."
Why is this important?
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act legalizes discrimination in the state of Indiana. Our state should never legally discriminate against any person or people based on religion, race, nationality, gender, sexual or gender orientation, age, or any other factor based on discrimination.