Gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered Hoosiers will now have additional civil rights protections under changes to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
At a news conference this morning, House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tempore David Long said language is necessary to clarify that RFRA was a law passed to protect religious liberty and not to allow for discrimination.
The language from the amendment is as follows..
- A provider cannot refuse to offer services or provide access to facilites or public accomodation based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- It does not give a provider a defense in a discrimination case involving sexual orientation or gender identity.
- The law provides an exemption for churches and other nonprofit religious organizations.
A copy of the amendment can be found here.
Indiana had suffered a backlash because of RFRA, with the state losing potentially millions of dollars in lost business and tourism cancellations.
The measure will be voted on by both chambers by the end of the day.
Here is the link to the Leon-Tailored Audio from today’s news conference.
Proposes changes to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act has proponents and opponents switching sides, with former supporters now opposing the bill and former opponents offering their support.
You can hear their comments below.
Leon-Tailored Audio – Former RFRA Supporter Eric Miller of Advance America
Leon-Tailored Audio – Former RFRA Opponent – Chris Douglas
