Measure prevents businesses from having to provide such things as catering or photography for same-sex weddings if they find that objectionable on religious grounds

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Indiana passed a new law on Thursday that allows those running businesses and associations in the state to refuse service to gay people if they believe that would violate their religious beliefs.



State governor Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law during a private ceremony on Thursday morning from which both the public and the media were excluded.

The law is the first of its kind to be enacted this year, following similar legislation in Mississippi last year and being considered in other states. In Arizona it was vetoed by the governor.

Pence claimed the new legislation would block state and local laws aimed at protecting gays and lesbians against discrimination “that substantially burden” the ability of people, including businesses and associations, to follow their religious beliefs.

Pence, a Republican, backed the bill as it made its way through the state senate and house of representatives and he addressed a rally last month at the statehouse that attracted hundreds of supporters of the proposal.

But there has also been strong opposition to the bill and some companies have already declared they will avoid bringing their business to the state while others are considering a boycott.

The “final four” of the NCAA men’s college basketball competition is due to be held in Indianapolis on 4 and 6 April. While there is no sign of the tournament pulling out at this late stage, the coincidence of the huge sports event drawing crowds to the event with the passing of the new law drew criticism.

The NCAA issued a mild rebuke, saying the association was “committed to an inclusive environment where all individuals enjoy equal access to events”.

More explicit criticism had come from retired professional basketball star Jason Collins, who wrote on Twitter a few days before the governor signed the bill into law, asking if it would be legal for businesses to discriminate against him, as an openly gay man, and others when they attend the final four’s matches in the state capital next month.

On Wednesday, the day before enacting the new law, Pence received a highly critical letter from the Indianapolis-based Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) group warning that they may pull their planned 2017 religious convention from the city.

“Our perspective is that hate and bigotry wrapped in religious freedom is still hate and bigotry,” wrote Todd Adams, associate general minister and vice-president of the church.

Adrian Swartout, the chief executive of Gen Con, the huge US video, board-game and live-action gaming convention had also written to Pence saying the legislation could prompt the group to pull future gatherings from the city. The convention meets annually in Indianapolis, attracting 50,000 attendees from all 50 US states and around the world and is estimated to contribute $10m per meeting to the city’s economy.

San Francisco based tech company Salesforce announced an immediate boycott of the state. Chief executive Mark Benioff took to Twitter, posting messages such as:

“Today we are canceling all programs that require our customers/employees to travel to Indiana to face discrimination.”

Pence said in a statement on Thursday that the law ensures “religious liberty is fully protected” under Indiana law.



“The constitution of the United States and the Indiana constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion, but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action,” he said.

Last year Indiana failed to pass an amendment backed by Pence and conservatives that sought to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

Some reports have suggested Pence may seek the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

The Republican mayor of Indianapolis, Greg Ballard, said that the new law would send the “wrong signal” to the public about the city and state.



“We are a diverse city and I want everyone who visits and lives in Indy to feel comfortable here,” he said in a statement.







