Lawmaker says colleague's toddler feared her because she's black

The already contentious debate over Indiana's proposed "religious freedom" bill took a surreal twist Monday afternoon when — in the midst of discussion on the bill — a Democratic lawmaker said that a Republican lawmaker's child was "scared" of her because she is black.

The comment by Rep. Vanessa Summers drew audible gasps, in no small part because the child — the son of Rep. Jud McMillin — is 18 months old.

"I told Jud McMillin I love his son, but he's scared of me because of my color," Summers told McMillin, who is white, during debate over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in the House.

"It's hard," said Summers, D-Indianapolis. Then, as other lawmakers groaned at the comments, she followed up with, "It's true."

Summers stood by her comments afterward, detailing the meeting with McMillin's young son earlier in the session.

"He looked at me like I was a monster and turned around and cried. And I told him you need to introduce your child to some people that are dark-skinned so he will not be scared," she said.

Asked whether his son shied away because of her skin color, she said, "I truly believe so."

Summers' comments capped an already heated debate over a measure that supporters say will protect free exercise of religion, but that opponents, including Summers, argue will enshrine discrimination in state law.

McMillin, R-Brookville, called Summers' comments "unfortunate."

"It's just incredibly unfortunate. You'd like to think that we would have professional discussion on the House floor and certainly be able to avoid having 18-month-olds in the discussion," he said.

"I can tell you that if he reacted the same way he reacts with anybody brand new, he buries his head in his dad's shoulder," McMillin said. "Whoever it is, it's what he does. He's an 18-month-old kid; he's in a new environment up here in the place like the Statehouse but doesn't know anybody. I honestly don't remember anything out of the ordinary."

House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said lawmakers are advised against bringing up their colleagues' family members in negative comments but did not say he planned to sanction Summers in any way.

Bosma also thought the comment was "unfortunate" but left it to other lawmakers to decide how to react.

"I'd agree, it was an unfortunate comment. But what's said is said. On an emotional issue for folks, they sometimes say things that aren't advisable," Bosma said. "That's probably one of these times."

Star reporter Tony Cook contributed to this story.

Call Star reporter Tom LoBianco at (317) 444-7136. Follow him on Twitter: @tomlobianco.