New Religious Freedom Act Changed to be Anti-Discriminatory

Protesters in Indiana

The Religious Freedom Act that was passed in Indiana last week sparked intense backlash and protests that it allowed store owners to discriminate against gay couples by refusing to serve them, using their religion as a reason. The states governors are going to amend it to make clear that no one will "be able to discriminate against anyone at any time." According to Indianapolis's former mayor, democrat Bart Peterson, both "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" will be in an anti-discrimination law for the first time in state history.

Many celebrities and big businesses like Apple, Miley Cyrus, and Angie's list, have supported changing the law, and some companies have gone as far as to stop sending employees to states that have laws such as this one in place without protection for LGBTQA communities. Even the state of Connecticut has suspended government travels to Indiana until the law is fixed. Mike Pence the governor who signed the bill last Thursday, said to the Wall Street Journal,"As governor of Indiana, if I were presented a bill that legalized discrimination against any person or group, I would Veto it."

Pence says that the law was never meant to be interpreted as discriminatory and they have corrected the language to make that more apparent. Stores all over that state put up signs to make it clear that they will service LGBTQA clients while the act leaves room for discrimination. Since the law has been amended, things in the state will begin calming down.