TIP OF THE ICEBERG

The Fallout From Indiana’s “Religious Freedom” Law Is Getting Even Uglier

U.S. Representative Pence looks at his notes before a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in WashingtonIt’s been less than 24 hours since Indiana Governor Mike Pence (pictured) signed into law a draconian measure that grants business owners the right to discriminate against gays and lesbians in the name of “religious freedom,” and the fallout is already proving to be huge.

In addition to billionaire CEO Marc Benioff pledging to “dramatically reduce” his company’s investment in the state, a number of celebrities are also coming forward to blast Pence for being, in the words of Miley Cyrus, an “asshole.”

Now, an employee for the state has announced he’s resigning from his job in an act of solidarity with those who will be affected by the discriminatory new law.

The Bilerico Project reported this morning that Erik Deckers, a travel writer for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, gave his notice shortly after Governor Pence signed the bill. Deckers is heterosexual but has been an advocate for LGBT rights for many years.

In a Facebook post written yesterday, he said:

I’ve resigned as a travel writer for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (VisitIndiana.com), because of the passage of #RFRA. I love Visit Indiana, and the people there are doing great work with diminishing resources. But I can’t invite people to visit us when some of them are less welcome than others. As long as the state government thinks discrimination should be legal, I can’t work for the state government.

It remains to be seen what the other repercussions will come as a result of Indiana lawmakers’ shameless homophobic actions, but we’re pretty sure this is just the tip of what will become a very expensive iceberg.

h/t: The Bilerico Project

Related stories:

Outraged Billionaire Investor Marc Benioff Pulls Money From Indiana Over Antigay “Religious Freedom” Law

Indiana’s Antigay Governor Gets in Trouble Over Marriage Memo

Indiana GOP Guv Candidate Wants To Aid Families, Just Not Gay Ones

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