Homophobic Indiana Governor Bobs and Weaves When Asked Discrimination Question
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It’s easy you know, when asked to answer a question with a “yes” or a “no,” at least it’s easy unless you’re trying to hide something as clearly Indiana Governor Mike Pence was in weekend interviews, particularly with ABC, the video of which is at the end of this article.
“We are in discussions with legislative leaders this weekend to see if there’s a way to clarify the intent of the law,” says the obfuscating governor, who yesterday spoke to the Indianapolis Star about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
In an appearance on ABC’s This Week this morning, he cleared up some things but not others. ABC News reports that Pence said the controversial bill, signed into law on Thursday, would not be changing and that signing it was “absolutely not” a mistake.
While he cited the “tremendous amount of misinformation and misunderstanding” around the bill, he didn’t answer a number of questions from George Stephanopoulos (“just yes or no?” he pressed) as to whether the law does indeed do what its critics say it does: Let business owners—in Stephanopoulos’ hypothetical, a Christian florist—refuse service to gays.
Pence and supporters have pointed to similar laws on the books in 19 other states, with the governor noting that then-state Sen. Barack Obama voted in favor of Illinois’ version. ABC News points out Illinois has since enacted specific legal protection for gays, something Pence told Stephanopoulos was “not on his agenda.” As the interview wrapped up, Stephanopoulos tried one last time, asking, “Do you think it should be legal in the state of Indiana to discriminate against gays or lesbians?”
He wanted a yes or no, which Pence wouldn’t give. “Hoosiers don’t believe in discrimination,” said Pence. Pressed again for a yes or no, Pence said, “What I am for is protecting … the religious liberty of Hoosiers.” Meanwhile, Angie’s List has put a planned $40 million expansion of its Indianapolis headquarters on ice, and the mayor of Seattle announced all city-funded trips to Indiana were to cease.
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As I am originally from Indiana, and still have many friends and relatives living there, I think I can confidently state that, yes, this bill is specifically intended to allow discrimination. No, I don’t think all business owners will use it for that. Most will simply ignore it. Revenue counts for more than bigotry for most.
Still, there are those that will use it as intended. Even worse, it opens up the door to even wider uses. Now, you can refuse to serve Catholics (they aren’t REAL christians) or even red heads (they have no souls). or even blacks, (the mark of Cain).
Yep, I am serious. Remember, Indiana is the state that passed a law rounding ∏ off to an even three.
I thought you were from Alabama, James.