When the calls for a boycott began last week after Gov. Mike Pence signed Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), I held my fire. Numerous other states and the federal government have RFRAs, so why should we suddenly hold Indiana to a different standard? After reading analyses and watching an interview with Gov. Pence himself,…
This week, the nation – the western world – has reacted with disbelief and distain over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed into law. The argument has been that this law mirrors RFRA laws of many other states across the U.S., as well as the RFRA that the U.S…
As major corporations, business leaders, and organizations continue to speak out against the discriminatory new anti-LGBT law in Indiana, Nike, Inc. President and CEO Mark Parker provided the following statement to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC): “Nike proudly stands for inclusion for all. We believe laws should treat people equally and prevent discrimination. Nike has…
Today, Indiana Governor Mike Pence tried to limit the economic damage and public humiliation he brought to Indiana by signing a widely-denounced, discriminatory anti-LGBT law last Thursday, the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act (RFRA). While the national backlash against the harmful measure has been swift and brutal, Pence today asked for legislation to be sent…
In a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt Monday, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush embraced the widely-denounced and discriminatory anti-LGBT legislation that Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed into law last Thursday. While the national backlash against the harmful measure has been swift and brutal–and as Pence and Indiana lawmakers who supported the law have said they’re…
A video released by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) highlights the eight different times that Gov. Mike Pence ducked, dodged, and declined to answer simple, straightforward questions about Indiana’s new law and whether discrimination against LGBT Hoosiers should be illegal, on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Stephanopoulos asked multiple straightforward questions requiring a yes…
The fallout over Indiana Gov. Pence ignoring the warnings of corporations and civil rights advocates continued today after the governor signed into law a sweeping bill allowing individuals to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against LGBT people and other minorities. Max Levchin, cofounder of PayPal, CEO of Affirm, and Chairman of Yelp, tweeted,…
In spite of corporations’ and civil rights advocates’ outcry of opposition, the Indiana House of Representatives is expected to pass a sweeping bill early next week allowing individuals to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against LGBT people and other minorities. Astonishingly, the governor is expected to sign the bill into law. “This ill-conceived…
SACRAMENTO – California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) introduced Assembly Bill 202 today to treat cheerleaders of professional sports teams as employees under California law, a move that will better protect cheer athletes in the state from workplace abuses and bring equity to the multibillion-dollar professional sports landscape. Recent attention to the issue from…
WASHINGTON – If passed, a new piece of federal legislation (S. 2706/H.R. 5285) introduced this week would open a floodgate of adoption discrimination around the country. Penned by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), the new bill would allow adoption or foster care providers to refuse service on the basis of their…
