Last week, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed the so-called "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" into law which gives business owners license to discriminate against LGBT people. Several celebrities and athletes have already spoken out against the new law on Twitter and Instagram.
Indiana? Seriously? Really? Bravo Salesforce for taking a stand. @benioff Hope more companies follow. http://t.co/g8K9DNZjps
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) March 27, 2015
For anyone who is refused service under #Indiana's new law, you deserve better. Acceptance and progress take time. But they always arrive.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 28, 2015
#BOYCOTTINDIANAhttp://t.co/FlZwIL42Gd
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) March 30, 2015
How dare Indiana use the word FREEDOM in their law to institutionalize bigotry & hatred? The passage of that hate bill is UN-AMERICAN!
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) March 27, 2015
Dear @GovPenceIN, The only thing that needs clarifying is how in the world you were ever elected Governor. #BoycottIndiana Best, Josh
— Josh Charles (@MrJoshCharles) March 30, 2015
Join me to #BoycottIndiana . Show Gov. #Pence we won't stand for bigotry in the name of religion.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 27, 2015
A sad day for all in #INDIANA. Gov.Pence, you did not lead today. You were not courageous. You took the path of... http://t.co/meHBLHIf78
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) March 26, 2015
Indiana's anti-gay 'Religious Freedom' bill signed by Gov. Pence is absurd & insulting. This is 2015. Ridiculous. #RFRA
— Larry King (@kingsthings) March 27, 2015
It is now legal to refuse service to this family in #Indiana. #SB101#BoycottIndiana#shame@GovPenceINpic.twitter.com/BSUbM9ggBz
— Alec Mapa (@AlecMapa) March 26, 2015
.@GovPenceIN Some in my band are gay & we have 2 gigs in your state next month. Should we call ahead to make sure the hotel accepts us all?
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 26, 2015
.@GovPenceIN Or MAYBE...we need to stick to singing in states that don't legislate hate?
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 26, 2015
Indiana's new law allows "religious" discrimination against LGBTs. Next project, CHURCH OF THE DIVINE, where we refuse to serve bigots.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) March 28, 2015
Indiana .. A law that allows businesses to reject someone because they're gay ???? That's barbaric and inhumane. I stand against it.
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) March 26, 2015
Indiana's better than this: Thanks Hoosiers, NCAA, Apple, Yelp, & all denouncing @GovPenceIN's anti-gay law... http://t.co/axF9WWSmKH
— Ted Allen (@ChopTedAllen) March 28, 2015
Indiana's Religious Freedom law is a serious threat to equality. We need to be inclusive & use our voices & actions to right this wrong.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) March 28, 2015
I can now legally be denied service in Indiana because I am gay, or Jewish? Am I right, @GovPenceIN? Sounds like a fun place to visit!
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) March 27, 2015
Religion should bring communities together thru love and acceptance of all your neighbors. Never should it be used to justify discrimination
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) March 29, 2015
Tim Cook: Religious Freedom Laws Are 'Dangerous'-well said Tim Cook:) http://t.co/3MhnGfm5PK
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) March 30, 2015
Shame on you @GovPenceIN. What will be the next group you can refuse to serve? Where does it stop? #BoycottIndiana
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) March 27, 2015
Whelp. I live in the Midwest now, but I won't be visiting Indiana any time soon. #discrimination#equalitymattershttp://t.co/rCrD8iKYcO
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) March 27, 2015
The biggest trick the devil pulled was making the word "freedom" mean "oppression." #Indiana#religiousFreedom
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) March 27, 2015
Given what happened in Indiana, it's time for this #ThrowbackThursday, along with what I tweeted about 4 years ago... pic.twitter.com/BI8CB60bVn
— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) March 27, 2015
Sad this new Indiana law can happen in America today. We shouldn't discriminate against ppl bc of who they love #LGBThttp://t.co/mDhpS18oEH
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 27, 2015
Several industry leaders have also spoken out against Indiana's anti-LGBT law including out Apple CEO Tim Cook who wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post. Angie's List has cancelled plans for a $40 million expansion of its Indianapolis headquarters, SalesForce CEO Marc Benioff has cancelled programs that require customers or employees to travel to Indiana, and Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman penned an open letter. Eli Lilly, the largest publicly traded company in Indiana, released a statement today saying, "Discriminatory legislation is bad for Indiana and for business. [...] The outcome on this particular piece of legislation has been disappointing. We will continue our efforts to make Lilly and Indiana a welcoming place for all. We work diligently to create an inclusive workforce and a welcoming environment for all." PayPal CEO Max Levchin also spoke out against the bill.
What is happening in Indiana is pretty unbelievable. However it’s dressed up, it’s a signal that discrimination is welcome in this state.
— Max Levchin (@mlevchin) March 26, 2015
San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray have both banned city-funded travel to Indiana since Pence signed the new law. “San Francisco taxpayers will not subsidize legally-sanctioned discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people by the State of Indiana," said Lee in a statement. Today, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy announced he would sign an Executive Order putting a stop to state-funded travel to Indiana.
When new laws turn back the clock on progress, we can’t sit idly by. We are sending a message that discrimination won’t be tolerated. -DM
— Governor Dan Malloy (@GovMalloyOffice) March 30, 2015
Today I ordered no #Seattle tax dollars will be used for travel by @CityofSeattle employees because of Indiana's discriminatory #SB101#LGBT
— Ed Murray (@Mayor_Ed_Murray) March 28, 2015
Governor Pence appeared on This Week with George Stephanopoulos over the weekend and refused to answer scenarios about how the law may allow businesses to refuse service to LGBT people. He said he would be open to a "clarification" of the law, but would not consider non-discrimination protections for LGBT individuals. While he continues to claim that this new law does not target LGBT people or same-sex couples, information from GLAAD's Commentator Accountability Project demonstrates otherwise as Pence is pictured with three anti-LGBT activists in a photo of the law's signing ceremony.
Some of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's guests at the signing of the state's "license to discriminate" bill look familiar to...
Posted by GLAAD on Sunday, March 29, 2015
Similar special exemption bills have been introduced in several states across the country, including in Georgia, and Arkansas.