-Devin Dalager
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/101#digest-heading
This is a legislative account of a new bill that was recently passed in Indiana. This bill states that the government is stopped from "substantially prohibiting" religious freedom in Indiana. The effect of this however is that many believe this bill will lead to LBGT discrimination.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/03/28/395987537/indianas-religious-freedom-bill-sparks-firestorm-of-controversy
This article shows the ideals of the opposition to the bill. Many believe that the power given to shops and store owners in this bill will be abused in order to discriminate. Also, in this article, there is demonstration of the #boycottindiana campaign in which many people have spoken out against the bill and what it could potentially stand for.
http://news.yahoo.com/pence-effort-clarify-religious-objections-law-underway-050406066.html
In this final article, the governor of Indiana defends his signing of the bill. He argues that previously government was too restrictive of individuals and the expression of there religion while denying that the bill will be used for LBGT discrimination.
Questions:
Is it possible that bills such as this will gain popularity and be passed in other states?
Do you think that this bill will actually lead to LBGT discrimination in Indiana or will the media backlash make discrimination practically nonexistent?
What tweet was the most interesting to you (I recommend googling #boycottindiana)
1. The central piece to your first question hinges upon the public response. Right now, Indiana's legislation is garnering harsh criticism from around the country. Organizations from the NCAA to the Connecticut State Department have voiced their disapproval and have either made or have considered plans to move their interests elsewhere. New York for example has banned state-funded travel to Indiana. If responses such as this continue to flourish, than legislation such as this will most likely not gain popularity and will be repealed within Indiana.
ReplyDelete2. The problem within this bill is that so long as it is in existence it provides legal security for discrimination. Media backlash may keep it subdued for some time, but the reality of media is that it only serves what is popular, and popularity always fades. So long as this bill is on the books, LGBTQ discrimination will be legal in Indiana, in addition to any discrimination based upon religious beliefs. The only to prevent discrimination from this bill is to remove it, it clearly violates the rights of the LGBTQ community in the same way that segregation violated the rights of the black community. Neither form of legal discrimination can be allowed to stand.
3. My favorite tweet response was from Pat Haden, althetic director at USC, who tweeted, "I am the proud father of a gay son. In his honor, I will not be attending the CFP committee meeting in Indy this week. #EmbraceDiversity." Responses like these may have the strongest effect on Indiana, as large commercial entities such as the NCAA remove their support from the state.
There has been so much negative response to this bill that I think states are going to be dichotomoized in a couple of different ways. There are going to be the traditionally liberal and left leaning states; they won't pass bills like this. There will be the states that are traditionally conservative and predominantly religious, they might pass bills like to demonstrate solidarity with Indiana in support of religious freedom.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that this bill will necessarily lead to discrimination. It most definitely leads to a sufficient condition for it to exist, but it does not require it. And, there are still nuances of the bill that allows individuals to still take legal action against unjust forms of discrimination. However, I disagree with Conor when he says that LGBTQ is legal in Indiana. I don't think this bill legalizes discrimination, as hate crimes are still federal offenses and can be dealt with in federal court. I think there is a very thin line that we are right in the middle of with how we justify preserving religious freedoms and integrity while also being inclusive.
My favorite tweet comes from the Governor of Connecticut Dan Malloy:
"When new laws turn back the clock on progress, we can’t sit idly by. We are sending a message that discrimination won’t be tolerated. -DM".
While I will undoubtable be the devil's advocate in class and defend religious freedoms because of some twisted sense of inclusiveness, I echo the Governor.