Indiana lawmakers announced on Thursday morning that they have reached an agreement to address concerns that the religious freedom bill would permit discrimination against gays and lesbians.
During a press conference, Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma (R) and Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore David Long (R) said that they would introduce the changes at 9:30 a.m.
Bosma said that the changes make a “strong statement to assure that every Hoosier’s rights are protected, and won’t be infringed upon” by the new law.
Long blamed the backlash against the law on the perception of the legislation.
“Most importantly, the change in this will hopefully put an end to this greatest misperception of all, and that is that the people of Indiana discriminate, because I can tell you honestly, nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.
According to a report from the Indianapolis Star, the bill will add protections for LGBT individuals by making it clear that businesses cannot use the religious freedom law to defend discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Too little, too late.
“Where’s the fun in THAT?” – Wingnut Christian Business Owners of Indiana
I’m not so sure. This little fiasco was hammered down by the public with such lightning speed that I don’t think any rightwing nut could help but get the message that these back door legislative approaches will have devastating and immediate consequences. And it’s far from over for Indiana.
Radical conservatives have to realize now they no longer have any shelter to protect them from the storm when they attempt to enact these kinds of petty tyranny. Even in White Bread Indiana.
Which is all very amusing since the discrimination bit was the whole point of the law in the first place. Still not seeing how the RWNJ’s are going to actually agree to this when it hits the floor.
Words. Show me the words.