John Green calls 'religious freedom' bill 'horrific'

Author John Green, likely the most high-profile Indiana resident in contemporary pop culture, expressed today his opposition to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to his audience of 3.9 million Twitter followers.

"The law Indiana governor Mike Pence is signing today legalizes discrimination against LGBT people," Green tweeted at 8:41 a.m. "It's horrific."

In a follow-up tweet, the best-selling author of "The Fault in Our Stars" commented, "As a Hoosier, I'm deeply saddened and embarrassed. A government exists to protect its citizens; instead, it is legalizing their oppression."

The measure, Senate Bill 101, could allow business owners to refuse services to same-sex couples. Supporters say the law is needed to protect those with strong religious beliefs from government overreach, but opponents say it would allow discrimination, particularly against gays and lesbians.

Born in Indianapolis, Green was an infant when his family moved to Michigan and eventually to Florida. As an adult, he's lived in Indianapolis with his wife, Sarah Urist Green, since 2007.

He attended boarding school in Alabama, an experience that inspired his debut novel, "Looking for Alaska."

"I grew up in Alabama, not far removed from a time when people used their religious faith to justify laws opposing interracial marriage or school integration," Green told The Star today. "I am embarrassed and horrified to live in a state that has legalized discrimination."

Green characterizes himself as a religious person, and he worked as a children's hospital chaplain after graduating from Ohio's Kenyon College in 2000.

"I don't think that people can use their religious beliefs as an excuse for discrimination," said Green, selected in 2014 as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

Noting statements in opposition to Senate Bill 101 from the Gen Con gaming convention and cloud computing company Salesforce, Green said he expected Pence to consider the legislation's impact on Indiana's economy.

"It's horrible for business," Green said. "It's horrible for our national reputation. We're going to lose Gen Con. We're going to lose lots and lots of business from SalesForce.com. It is a huge step back for the national reputation of the state. And I don't blame people for not wanting to do business here. Frankly, I'm a bit embarrassed to be doing business here."

Green employs a staff of six at his Broad Ripple office, where he makes educational videos for YouTube and Sarah oversees her PBS video series "The Art Assignment."

Looking ahead, Green said voters will dictate Indiana's future. He also advised Hoosiers who oppose Senate Bill 101 to rally around gay and lesbian residents.

"I think this is a time to support LGBT residents of Indiana," Green said. "Something that Sarah and I do, certainly, is give money to LGBT youth organizations. Because, man, it's hard to grow up in a state that has said that it's legal to discriminate against you."

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.