News

Who's Boycotting Indiana Now?

by Alicia Lu

The backlash over Indiana's religious freedom law, which many see as a veiled excuse for discrimination against gay people, doesn't seem to be slowing down. In the days that followed Governor Mike Pence's signature on the bill, prominent figures and companies like Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Angie's List have expressed plans to boycott the state of Indiana. Despite Pence's promise that an anti-discrimination clause will be added to Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), more public figures and corporations are boycotting Indiana, joining the growing protest against the bill.

On Tuesday, Governor Pence announced that he's working quickly with lawmakers to amend the bill to include a clause that would prohibit businesses from being able to deny services to the LGBT community. But Pence is still insisting that the original bill was "grossly mischaracterized," which drew Indiana undeserved negative attention. "It would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone," he added.Even last weekend, Pence was adamant that he would not change Indiana's RFRA. However, after a lengthy list of state legislators and corporations started boycotting the state, not to mention the overwhelming public protest, Pence seems to be changing his tune quite a bit.Earlier this week and last week, governors and mayors from Connecticut, Seattle, Washington, and San Francisco banned publicly funded travel to Indiana in protest of RFRA. Review website Yelp also announced plans to curb its business in the state, and Charles Barkley urged the NCAA to relocate the Final Four out of Indiana. Now, more are joining the boycott.

Governor Andrew Cuomo

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On Tuesday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo banned all non-essential state-funded and state-sponsored travel to Indiana. He wrote in a press release:

Today, I direct all agencies, departments, boards and commissions to immediately review all requests for state funded or state sponsored travel to the State of Indiana and to bar any such publicly funded travel that is not essential to the enforcement of state law or public health and safety. ... With this action, we stand by our LGBT family members, friends and colleagues to ensure that their rights are respected.

Mayor Charlie Hales

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales has banned city-funded travel to Indiana, saying in a statement:

Gov. Mike Pence and the Indiana Legislature have to understand that such blatant discrimination against their own citizens cannot stand.

Mayor Michael B. Hancock

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The Denver mayor echoed a similar sentiment in his announcement to ban city-funded travel to Indiana:

This law is just wrong, plain and simple, and we will not tacitly condone discrimination through the use of taxpayer dollars.

USC's Athletic Director

USC's athletic director, Pat Hayden, who is the "proud father of a gay son," tweeted on Tuesday that he would be skipping the College Football Playoff committee meeting in Indianapolis this week.

Nick Offerman

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Actor Nick Offerman and his wife, Megan Mullally, announced that they will be canceling a scheduled appearance in Indiana for their Summer of 69: No Apostrophe tour.

Wilco

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On Monday, before Governor Pence announced he would be adding a clause to the legislation, indie band Wilco announced it would be canceling its May 7 show in Indianapolis and any other shows in Indiana until the act is repealed.

Images: Getty Images (4), Wikipedia Commons