Seattle, San Francisco mayors join in boycott of Indiana over RFRA

Seattle's mayor has joined others planning to boycott Indiana over the passage of the controversial "religious freedom" law this week.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray says he will not allow work-related city-funded travel to Indiana, after the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which has the potential to discriminate against LGBT people and others based on religious beliefs.

Murray, who is the city's first openly gay mayor, says Seattleites know that discrimination has no place in their city. He says the new law doesn't reflect the city's values. The mayor says Seattle is a leader in the fight to protect civil rights and ensuring equality for all people. For that reason, he says no taxpayer money will support a discriminatory law.

Murray plans to issue an executive order next week that will ban all city travel to Indiana. He also will order all departments to review their contracts to see if the city is doing any business in Indiana.

A backlash to Indiana's new "religious freedom" law has continued after Gov. Mike Pence signed the controversial bill in a private ceremony Thursday.

On Friday, San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced that he was banning all city-funded trips to Indiana in light of the passing of what some call discriminatory legislation.

"We stand united as San Franciscans to condemn Indiana's new discriminatory law, and will work together to protect the civil rights of all Americans including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals," Lee said in a statement.

Lee ordered city departments to bar city employees from taking work-related trips to Indiana on the taxpayer's dime unless it's necessary for public health and safety.

"San Francisco taxpayers will not subsidize legally sanctioned discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people by the state of Indiana," Lee said.

Criticism mounted swiftly on Thursday after Pence signed the bill that opponents say allows businesses to discriminate against members of the LGBT community.

Pence and his supporters have denied claims of discrimination, saying the bill only protects business owners from the government burdening them from practicing their religion.

The San Francisco mayor is joined by other businesses, groups and individuals who have voiced concerns.

Among those are the NCAA, the tech company Salesforce and the gaming convention Gen Con.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Call Star reporter Madeline Buckley at (317) 444-6083. Follow her on Twitter: @Mabuckley88.