It’s been a looooong week for Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and his fellow Republican lawmakers.
What started out as an effort to undo decades of advancements in the gay rights movement has, one week later, turned into the state enacting protections based on sexual orientation for the first time in its history, even though Gov. Pence said on Tuesday that protecting LGBT Indianans was “not on his agenda.”
What a different a few days makes, huh?
Republicans in the Hoosier State went back to the drawing board this week to overhaul their “religious freedom” bill signed into law eight days ago. They added a follow-up measure prohibiting businesses from using the law as an excuse for refusing “to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing” to any customers based on “race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Immediately after the bill hit his desk, Gov. Pence signed it into law.
“As governor I must always put the interest of our state first and ask myself every day, ‘What is best for Indiana?'” he said in a statement released yesterday evening. “I believe resolving this controversy and making clear that every person feels welcome and respected in our state is best for Indiana.”
Too bad it took a national outcry to make him realize that.
While this is certainly good news, many LGBT allies still feel the law doesn’t accomplish enough. They are now lobbying to have sexual orientation added to the list of categories protected by Indiana’s anti-discrimination law.
Never fear. Republican lawmakers said that this will happen soon. House Speaker Brian Bosma explained (through gritted teeth, no doubt) that the incredible backlash against the “religious freedom” law has “opened many perspectives” and that the anti-discrimination law “needs to be discussed.”
Score one for the gays.
Related stories:
Six Reasons Why Indiana’s Antigay Law Is Even Worse Than You Imagined
Hilarious Indiana Travel Commercial Boasts “It’s A Great Place To Be A Bigot!”
Jon Stewart
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck them.
Robert Loszewski
Two letters for ya: FU!
Robert Hillyer
Take us all out for pizza and we’ll talk…..
Sameer Nurani
We will never forget that dinosaurs like you exist!!
Londale Foster
Screw u little Boi!
Miguel Garcia
Lets not and say we did ..
you big BITCH
Justin L Llanas
Nope!!
Alex Rothwell
I don’t think that is possible.
BJ McFrisky
Another example in being careful what you wish for.
The Memories pizza parlor is now closed . . . but its owners are $500K (and counting) richer.
A win? A loss? A wash?
Donald Martin
It’s already leaving the news cycle, the general public will forget all about it by Monday. 🙁
Kieru
“I believe resolving this controversy and making clear that every person feels welcome and respected in our state is best for Indiana.”
… I could take this claim at face-value and applaud him if it weren’t for one glaring problem. He signed the law ‘as-is’ in the first place. The ability of this law to be maliciously abused was pointed out innumerable times. The flaw in this laws wording was well known.
All he had to do was send the bill back in the first place. That would have made a much stronger statement than this knee-jerk reaction to losing potential millions in revenue for the state. And who knows… it may have given him a chance at re-election. Probably not so much now.
Sam Molina
This fixes nothing, it only allows protection in communities where there was previously existing protection before the RFRA
Damon Robbins
To the GOP leaders : change your sneaky ways; we will not forget!
Desert Boy
It’s about time Indiana joined the 21st century.
J.r. Graff
Too late Indiana – you kicked a hornets next and it’s a sting that’s gonna last.
Frank Martinelli
FU-K YOU!
Stephen Meeks
Not going to happen
Mitch Bankston
Until they try to sneak something else past us!!!!
Cory M. Warren
Putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound… yah, not going to work.
Fred Alan Wolf III
No way
Matthew Katz
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Donnie Bailey
We will never forget, and you remember who made you back down.
Dynasty Hernandez
Forget? Lmfao fucking loser lmao
Harry R. Courtright
Oh I think not.
Tony Lee Churchill
No can do, bud.
Severn Kirchem
Tool!
Giancarlo85
@BJ McFrisky: Tax evasion and stealing! That’s what the pizza owners are doing.
NSB2244
The pressure should not be lifted until they repeal the entire law. These bigots need to be taught a lesson and the only place that counts is the state coffers!
Mark CoChenour
Here is a Good Friday thought…If Jesus was on earth today it wouldn’t be the jews that murder Him but the Christians who would hate Him for His inclusiveness and love for all and rebuke of those who judge someone because they sin differently than themselves and His willingness to serve EVERYONE. Jail would be a much better place than hell when Jesus says ‘depart from me wicked one for I never knew you!’
Mark Powledge
Hell no! Not forgiving or forgetting.
Jeff Rice
NOT SO FAST…the only reason to stop in Indiana is to visit the toilet on the way through
Jeff Eiselman
Nope. You tried. That’s enough for me!
Rich Hartley
Fixed? More like covered up what should have never been.
Pedro E. Frota
F….. you douchebag !
Jeff Eiselman
Screw Arkansas too!
Dan Nelson
Fucking dickless ho!
Michael Cook
wrong
David G. Stroemer
Good luck with that!
Atrius
I personally would like to thank everyone who made this happen with your expressions of your anger and disappointment over the thoughtless and contemptible actions by these state legislatures we have a long way to go, but it’s heartening to me to see so many people take a stand and say, “No more.” It is much appreciated by me.
jwtraveler
Indiana has just learned what many of us already knew: It’s impossible to protect civil rights AND protect the right to violate them. Indiana may be moving in the right direction. Let’s hope the rest of the country follows soon.
@BJ McFrisky: It’s disgusting that “freedom-loving” Christians will adamantly oppose paying taxes to provide food and medical care to sick, hungry children, but will happily shell out cash to support discrimination. What a country!
David Briskie
Never forget !
Mike Lundstrom
Let us think on that, nope sorry ya a day late and a dollar short
AtticusBennett
it’s not fixed at all. the law shouldn’t even exist in the first place. it has no reason to exist other than to give bigots a justification for their ignorance and hatred.
Tom Belkowski
Just so that they know that we’ll be watching them…
Patrick Laney
You lost any right to ask for forgiveness when you brought God into the mix… You should have asked, “if I were Jesus would I be such a dick?” Too little too late – I will continue to support destroying the Indiana economy…
John Tevino
Really!?
Mark Alan McRoberts
it is not a fix. I would call it BS
Luis H. Lopez
Never forget! Hate us ban us you expect us too turn the other cheek?
Donald DeCarlo
How about we forget to give you any money and send your bigoted asses packing
Rick J Reed
have no intrest to ever go there, we the world now know what kind of BIGETS your state really is, stay in hell while the rest of us live life to the fullest as who we are !Not what you want us to be.
Johnnie Apodaca
I sure won’t
Liam Barnes
Except, it’s not really fixed, is it?
Paul V. Vitagliano
I’m planning on setting up a GoFundMe page so I can get the patent on the “Sin-O-Meter” – who’s in?
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/04/02/christian-florist-says-shed-deny-service-to-gay-people-but-not-adulterers-because-its-a-different-kind-of-sin
Michael Finnegan
Nit wit. Liar! Your fix only works for local LGBT civil rights ordinances, not state wide.
Kevin White
Sorry, bigot, its not that easy… Make an effort then maybe we can talk… Not planning a trip to Indiana…. they can suffer from their own actions…
Caylin Joey Gerhardt
you should be apologizing to the citizens of IN, idiot..
James Dauria
Oh no we won’t you ignorant asshole!
Ron Russell
The would be controlers of thought write above a statement that was not said and attributed it to the folks in Indiana. The truth is that their law did not contain the word gay or any other words that would single out gay people. The law was pro freedom and yes freedom can be messy and even allow for some people acting in ways I do not agree with but the false statements like set forth above are just wrong.
Valerie Anderson
Yeah Right!
AtticusBennett
it’s not REMOTLEY fixed. it needs to be REMOVED.
tricky ricky
don’t hold your breath, they won’t be adding gays to the anti-discrimination law. they are a pack of liars who would have gotten away with their scheme if it hadn’t been for the darn pesky homosexuals.
Chuck Stevenson
Eat me.
Kenia Brittney Armstrong
Forget about it? We making a holiday about it Bitch!!
Rick Jervis
It ts too late to forget
Mike DontcallmeMikey Parks
Nope. You fucktards don’t get off that easily. We’re not going to forget it happened.
Bradley Mccurry
Impeach!
Miguel Spatti
Oh hell no
Kevin Hurst
Uh no..
Bryan Conti
NEVER FORGET.
Brett Perry
We will forget when you resign!
Tim Pennypacker
I hope they fixed it, and if they did, I’m glad they did, regardless of WHY they fixed it. Still, if there is fallout from the whole unnecessary drama that stings, so be it.
Robert Earl Guddy
he’s going on vacation in Europe.. Really… I hope someone over there declines his bigot ass service because of his religion or their religion
Owen Lovejoy
The fact that they felt strongly enough to make the law hasn’t changed.
Jim Thornton
We won’t forget. You’re the new Rick Santorum. Welcome to the world of having your name synonymous with our community. You’ll never be able to shake us now.
Edward King
This guy is unbelievably stupid. Indiana and he are forever marked in infamy
Thomas
Unfortunately, we have a whole generation of politicians that believe, that the Good Ole Days.. Does not include the”Almighty Gay Dollar!!!”Well fellers – MISTAKE… BIG MISTAKE… HUGE!!!!! As seen in this past weeks events and in every news organization around the world. The tide has turned folks and its either get on the bus… or get left behind. The one thing that I will never forget or accept is the greasey hand of the Republican Party.. No matter what… I’m sorry is not good enough!!!! And they will never have my support on any issue.
Giancarlo85
@Ron Russell: You have no clue what you’re talking about. Try not to write in run-on sentences. Sometimes my posts may have typos, but at least I use proper punctuation. The law was BROADLY WRITTEN. What do I mean by that? It could be misapplied and misused very easily. And it has nothing to do with freedom. The law has to do with taking away freedoms and denial of services. That is unconstitutional and anti-freedom.
Luis H. Lopez
Imbecile leave gays alone !!!
Drew C. Smith
NEVER forget. They wrote the law the way they wanted it. It was NOT a mistake.
Fuck the GOP and the Right.
Chris Duffy
As they crawl back into their bubble……
mz.sam
HELL TO THE NO!!! All is NOT forgotten when going to the voting booths this coming election, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and all you bigoted F****RS!
George Boutwell
I hate people.
Jimmy Williams
fuk -that!.
Trevor McGee
No. Because, it’s still what the people of your State, and probably you, still want. So, No. It’s not like Indianans weren’t speaking out against this, before you signed it into Law. So, you had your chance to listen, and you failed to. Now, your feeling shamed, because even NASCAR & Basketball think poorly of the Law you signed. Well, too bad. Live & Learn! And, hopefully go away,
Realitycheck
what the new doesn’t and does fix
http://www.advocate.com/sites/advocate.com/files/2015/04/HRCIndianax633.jpg
Denis Camacho
Laws might have changed! But not your beliefs or feelings towards the LGBT people are insane
Never forget!!!
Maude
@Ron Russell:
Standing tall for truth is by far the bravest thing any of us can do in the face of low-information morons……..weather they be Gay or straight….
“Stupid Is As Stupid Does”.
Jeremy Coburn
Um no. Let’s not ever forget about this. We’re not going away Pence.
Zenguy
If these incredulous civil rights attacks in the name of religious freedom persist, there should be a freedom from religion law that allows anyone to deny basic rights to bible-thumping church goers by citing that is an offense and conflicts with the beliefs of others with more balanced and secular leanings. We have hit them back with their own playbook.
We should have the freedom of exemption — to not have any of our tax revenue funneled to support any religious institution. Why? Because it goes against our beliefs!
Are these ignorant, intolerant sectarians even a little bit aware that their actions and reasoning exactly mirror the rhetoric of those who defended and supported segregation in the early sixties?
man5996853
@BJ McFrisky: Why is it even a question? They are closed. They can’t deny gays service, with or without the $500,000. It is a win…period.
man5996853
@Thomas: I don’t know why but the Pretty Woman reference kinda made my day….so, thanks.
msfrost
If even one person is not free, then none are truly free.
Keith Lampkin
How about, “Indiana? We have a state named Indiana? I don’t know what you’re talking about…you must be crazy”
ChutneyGray
In your dreams, bigot boy. In your wildest dreams.
Johnathan-Perry O'Brien
You can forgive as Christ teaches one but words hurt.
Mark Stanley Bridges-Music
Uh, no. Twatwaffle
1EqualityUSA
The conservatives and the mute puppet on Supreme Court will tidy up this mess for the Republicans, before 2016.
Stuart J Rogoff
Actually you didn’t.
Michael Finnegan
It only works in municipalities that have LGBT protections, and only 11 of those exist. You need to include LGBT in the states civil rights code.
Dennis Czap
Stupid ass hat.. we never forget
Michael Ray Streets
Middle finger. Ass.
Santiago Patrocino Sánchez
And hell is upon at the state this is a crazy guy and excused for a human no me jodan tanta lucha por años por tener los derechos que nos corresponden como seres humanos prohÃbido olvidar
Sebashtzen Rowan
Ummm still not fixed good enough…
Evji108
Thanks for the Memories, bitches.
Frank J Ellis
Far from fixed I hope u fail cause what u are doing is not by any religion and is not American it is looks like people in fear because it sound like to me don’t know or are afraid of who they are grow up pay attention to your self and quite worrying about what other people are doing I really don’t think us LBGT people care about the title married we just want to be able to be everything that comes with the title so get off your high horse and remove this dumb as law that will do your state in already love Frank
Dakotahgeo
The only way this idiotic law will be fixed is to repeal the whole damn thing, which never should have seen the light of day in the first place. Idiocy is too weak a word to use but I’m trying to be nice here.
Kevin Anderson-Garrity
Yeah some fix bigoted Christian regressive’s
NE Estes
#BoycottIndiana it’s not fixed you can still fire people who are LGBT! Assholes! We will never forget until you fix you’re bigots!
NE Estes
Share MediaShow Caption
NATION
Indiana governor signs amended ‘religious freedom’ law
Tony Cook and Tom LoBianco, The Indianapolis Star, and Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY
1 day ago
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INDIANAPOLIS â?? Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Thursday signed into law revisions in the state’s divisive Religious Freedom Restoration Act aimed at removing fears that it would allow businesses to discriminate against gays and lesbians.
The Indiana House voted 66-30 and the Senate voted 34-16 to OK revisions to the “religious freedom” law.
Earlier Thursday, business, civic and sports leaders who have strongly called for a fix to the legislation flanked Indiana Republicans as they announced sexual orientation and gender identity will be explicitly protected in the new law.
USA TODAY
Arkansas governor signs new ‘religious freedom’ bill
The business community and civic leaders throughout the state had overwhelmingly opposed the law, which they feared would have allowed discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. But several embraced the fix that legislative leaders unveiled Thursday morning.
Speaking at the press conference were Allison Melangton, who headed planning for the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis; Jim Morris, vice chairman of the Pacers; former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson; and Chief Executive Scott McCorkle of Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
However, Angie’s List (ANGI) rejected the compromise, becoming the first major Indiana company to do so.
“Our position is that this ‘fix’ is insufficient,” said Bill Oesterle, CEO of Angie’s List.”There was no repeal of RFRA and no end to discrimination of homosexuals in Indiana.”
The company, with headquarters in Indianapolis, put a planned expansion of its campus on hold after the original law was passed.
Eric M. Kittel
Nope, you showed your ass/true colors and we will not forget. Just like the Koch brothers are still smear campaigning Angie’s list for speaking out. #BoycottIndiana
David Brough
The actions of Mr Pence and his band of thugs must never be forgotten or forgiven. There is still a plethora of laws that need to be altered so that GLTI folk can be protected properly, not just in Indiana but in many other of the US.
Rich Young
Too late!
dwbyers1960
I am gay and I find all your comments disgusting. Talk about queer hypocrites! I would never want to be friends with any of you self absorbing idiots!
Dakotahgeo
@dwbyers1960: And we thank you for that gift from the bottom of our hearts! We’ll miss you too, heh heh heh!
Saint Law
@dwbyers1960: You don’t count tho.
bearfuzzlover
Too little too late … And why would anyone trust Pence when in a few days time, once he thinks it has “blown over” and forgotten (in his tiny mind), he might change his mind once again! NOT a person to be trusted at any level!
Donald Attanas
Shave his head and he looks like our infamous governor Rick “beady eyed” Scott
Boy L Joey
Liar, liar, pants on fire….
Berkleyguy
All I can say is, I am glad that my husband and I do not live in Indiana. And if we were looking for jobs, Indiana would be off our list. I don’t care if they fixed it or not – too little too late as far as we are concerned. The damage is done.
dwbyers1960
@Berkleyguy: You are such a bright individual. They passed that law to keep people like you out. I guess it’s working.
Dakotahgeo
@dwbyers1960: Too bad it didn’t work in your case, no matter which State you live in… even of Denial!
dwbyers1960
@Bradley Mccurry: damn you guys are ugly!
Michael Jarboe
Let them drop their marriage equality suits and add anti discrimination language to their state laws, then we’ll see.
Rosalynn D'Angela
these nazis i mean republicans have an agenda, start with one then move up , untill only rich repulicans have rights …
Matt Evans
HUMMM, NO
junesxing
@Mark CoChenour:
this time it wouldn’t be the Jews that murdered him? Do you honestly think the Jews killed Christ?
You realize that most of the people that think Gays should be second class citizens also believe that.
Just sayin
TomOH
The pizza shop fundraiser situation is just a distraction from the exponential losses this type of hate filled legislation has resulted in. The ones who need to be careful what they wished for are conservative religious zealots – because now they are on everyone’s shit list in the state for the years of damage they have caused to their economy as a result, and no GoFundMe fundraiser is going to fix that. Oh and those pizza shop owners should start packing now too, because I highly doubt they will be welcome there, walking around with $800k they didn’t deserve, while it’s estimated over 75,000 other people in that state are going to be out of work due to all the business being pulled out of Indiana as we speak. Epic. Conservative. Fail.
1EqualityUSA
TomOH, If there’s money to be made in them parts, big business will return, once the storm dies down. I’ve enjoyed your comments.
Aaron Drake
D.J.Joe see Indiana is waiting for you…
Kevin J Desmond
Nope … not gonna happen, people will not forget you asshole !!!
Denis Camacho
Never!!!
Rich Young
Too late!
Chris L. Reynolds
Nope, I will never ever set foot in your State of Bigotry, on purpose! You’re White hood is showing under your face!
Mark Wagstaff
Never forget, no surrender.
Eric Carr
he is a total disgrace!
Mike Duderbody
politicians forget that the state is still a business and must turn a profit. while the masses control in voting, we’re not a democracy. the majority doesn’t rule. we’re a pluralist society. everyone’s represented. forget that, and you’ve failed as a ceo. if shareholders won’t tolerate it when lucky charms aren’t selling, imagine what’ll happen when you screw w people’s lives.
Rosalynn D'Angela
not like i was planning a trip there or anything but naw not easy to forget you selfish greedy attitudes…should use indiana as nuke test sight..
Michael Haynes
NOPE Not gonna forget
Jeffrey Thomas
Is the Taliban that wrote that law still running the legislator there? Then no, let’s not forget while there is still a threat to our rights
Stephen Meeks
Not going to happen jackass
Tom Remillard
2016 after elections I’m sure it’ll be back in place
Gregory R. Bowman
too little, too late, Pence!
Kelvin Johnson
See people have it all wrong,he is not talking to those whom this would have hurt.He is kissing ass to get big companies in or to come back to his state,being the state has nothing in it.No way to making money at all other then government help…STFU!
Joe Saldivar-Wilkerson
Jeffrey York
Pence and Bosma think it will go away. No one is going to let that happen. Pence must go.
Chris Mommaerts
What a nut
Chris Mommaerts
Will never spent any money there