( Chicago, IL, April 2, 2015 ) — Today, the Indiana legislature proposed a limited fix it bill that would amend the recently passed, so-called "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" ( RFRA ). Introduced by Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate Leader Pro Tem Dan Long, SB 50 takes an important step to reduce the threat to LGBT Hoosiers but fails actually to protect them from discrimination or to prevent use of the RFRA to justify other harms. Jennifer C. Pizer, National Director of Lambda Legal's Law and Policy Project, released the following statement:
"This bill reduces the threat but is far less than this situation requires. It recognizes there are problems, but does not fix it as LGBT Hoosiers and others urgently need. Now that there's broad public understanding that gay and transgender people in much of Indiana are terribly vulnerable to arbitrary discrimination by businesses, refusal of housing, and being fired just for being who they are—and even Gov. Pence has agreed that that is wrong—that unacceptable situation requires a full solution. We've provided multiple options of straightforward bill language. This is not a complicated or novel task. Many states have done it with only positive results economically and socially. The time is now. America is watching.
"Indiana's RFRA is an ill-conceived law that invites religiously motivated refusals to comply with laws that protect everyone. The state's elected leadership today has taken one step to reduce these refusal problems by amending the RFRA to ensure compliance with civil rights laws. Now they need to complete the fix by actually providing those basic protections that LGBT people need to be equal and safe in the Hoosier State, and by further amending RFRA to prevent it from being used to excuse any harm to other people.
"The local voices, organizations as well as national business and government leaders who have been insisting on a full and proper response in Indiana are right. This job should be finished before this legislative session ends and Governor Pence leaves on vacation if state leadership wants to show their claims about opposing discrimination are sincere.
"Freedom Indiana, ACLU of Indiana and the chorus of business leaders and thousands of individuals have raised an inspiring, urgent call that Indiana should reject discrimination in deed as well as word, and should honor faith, love and commitment by making the Hoosier State welcoming and secure for everyone.
"We will continue to work in Indiana and nationwide to ensure that LGBT people are not placed in harm's way by bills that invite discrimination against them. And, we urge anyone who experiences discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity explained as due to others' religious beliefs to contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk."
From the ACLU
NEW YORK — The ACLU has issued the following statement in response to the Indiana legislature proposing amendments to address the harmful effects of SB 101, a Religious Freedom Restoration Act ( RFRA ) bill:
"The events in Indiana over the last week represent a dramatic change in the way our country reacts to discrimination hiding under the guise of religion.
The Indiana legislature and the governor made a terrible and dangerous mistake, and they were met with widespread condemnation and a backlash that has hurt their state's reputation and its economy.
The outcry — from businesses, religious organizations, community leaders, and millions of people inside Indiana and around the country — forced a change to the law.
Because of these changes, the harm of the law has been lessened, but there remain significant problems that must be addressed.
With these amendments, the RFRA cannot be used as a defense in some kinds of discrimination cases. That's a major improvement. But it still poses a risk that it can be used to deny rights to others, including in education, access to health care, and other aspects of people's lives. While this is one piece of the solution, it is incomplete. Religious freedom is important, but it doesn't give anyone the right to impose their beliefs on others, discriminate, or cause harm.
This national conversation has shined a light on the fact that Indiana — as well as twenty-seven other states — do not have statewide nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people, meaning that discrimination is still legal in most of the country.
The work to stop these harms begins — but does not end — with a renewed push to update Indiana law to include protections for gay and transgender people, and ensure that no one is denied housing, turned away from a business, or fired from a job simply because of who they are or who they love.
People across this country have sent a strong message that they will not stand by silently while their friends, neighbors and co-workers are put at risk of discrimination.
That's a lesson we hope other states hear loud and clear."
From Freedom Indiana:
INDIANAPOLIS — Freedom Indiana, the statewide grassroots organization opposed to Indiana's so-called "Religious Freedom Restoration Act," issued the following statement in response to the legislative "fix" announced today after a week of intense local and national scrutiny of the law.
The statement can be attributed to campaign manager Katie Blair.
*NOTE TO LOCAL MEDIA: Freedom Indiana will be available for comment today at 10 a.m. EDT in the Indiana Statehouse Rotunda.*
"The changes proposed by the Legislature represent a step in the right direction that takes us closer to achieving our goal of passing the Fairness for All Hoosiers Act.
"Today, the harm has been lessened, but we have not reached the day when LGBT Hoosiers can be assured that they can live their lives with freedom from discrimination.
"It's long past time to enact a comprehensive nondiscrimination law, and we must continue to work to ensure, once and for all, that the RFRA cannot be used to discriminate against or hurt anyone.
"Thousands of Hoosiers and millions of Americans spoke loudly and clearly that discrimination cannot be tolerated in any form. That outcry has made all the difference.
"Facing tremendous economic damage and mounting public pressure, particularly from leading businesses in the state, lawmakers have responded with a measure to reduce the harm caused by the new law and include positive references to sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time in Indiana state law.
"These changes represent an important step forward. They fall short in many ways, and our work is far from over.
"Statewide nondiscrimination protections for LGBT Hoosiers still do not exist, meaning discrimination is still legal in most of the state.
"Businesses in Indiana, and many other employers looking to do business with our state, have made it clear that the state must pass a statewide nondiscrimination law that protects all Hoosiers from discrimination and ensures that Indiana is seen as a welcoming place to visit and do business.
"Some of the country's leading companies — trend setters and innovators — came together to voice their support for laws to end discrimination of any kind.
"It's time to pass a comprehensive nondiscrimination law, and we will continue to work with our allies to ensure that the RFRA cannot be used to discriminate or harm anyone.
"Indiana businesses have shown they are ready to lead. We look forward to working with them to pass statewide protections against discrimination. That campaign begins today."
