Indiana’s anti-LGBT law may cost state over $256 million: Center for American Progress

[DonViejo]

Source: RawStory/IBT

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES
01 APR 2015 AT 19:00 ET

Major businesses boycotting a new religious freedom law in Indiana could cost the state’s economy some $256.4 million and counting over the next six years, according to the Center for American Progress. The so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed into law last week, is widely viewed by opponents as granting business owners a license to discriminate against the LGBT community.

Several well-known businesses -- including Angie’s List and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) -- have said they will protest SB 101 by eliminating or dramatically reducing spending in Indiana. Angie’s List, a popular website that crowdsources ratings for services, canceled its headquarters expansion in Indianapolis on Sunday, which cost the state $40 million and 1,000 jobs. AFSCME, one of the largest labor unions in the country, said Monday it would not hold its women’s conference planned for October in Indianapolis, costing Indiana $500,000.

“This un-American law allowing businesses to refuse service to gay and lesbian customers sets Indiana and our nation back decades in the struggle for civil rights. It is an embarrassment and cannot be tolerated,” AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders told ThinkProgress, a liberal political blog, in an email Monday.

Indiana is at risk of losing valuable business with several other companies and associations such as the NCAA and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, which have said they might reconsider future economic activity and events in the state because of the new law. “For us personally in the NCAA, this is a big deal. We’re proud of our inclusive environment in our office,” NCAA president Mark Emmert told ESPNU Monday. “We have to say, what are we going to do if this law goes into effect in July and what’s our relationship with the state of Indiana going to be?”

more


Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/04/indianas-anti-lgbt-law-may-cost-state-over-256-million-center-for-american-progress/

[christx30]

1. The question that I have is

what percentage of the population has this strong of religious views that they are willing to give up business to refuse to cater to gay events? I know that a large part of the population is Christian. But how many out there could say that they would rather lose business than bake a cake or take photos at a wedding?

[LiberalFighter]

2. The majority of rural and small communities are likely of that mind imo.

[Zorra]

3. For some people, the opportunity to express hate, and do something ugly that makes

them feel superior to others, is priceless.

[appalachiablue]

4. It's been said here that tax increases will make up for lost revenue from this unwise political &

economic blunder. Indiana residents will have to pay for it although that may not be apparent for a while. It's crossed my mind whether this is a real, widespread concern in that state or the maneuverings of church leaders and RW groups on the local and national level. Unfortunate. Separate from Gov. Pence, and the state and religious leaders at the helm of the law, the owner and daughter who work at the Memories Pizza restaurant did not appear to be rabid, extremist religious advocates of ill will from the brief interview I saw. In fact they seemed fairly laid back about it and there's a lot worse out there, which makes me wonder about authenticity. But perhaps I'm not seeing things that others are, eg people of real malice, so who knows-

[Myrina]

14. The Memories Pizza owners had to know they'd start a shitstorm ...

.... by being the first business to 'out' itself, as it were, in the midst of all the uproar.
Why not just quietly enact your business' discrimination if its truly what you believe? Why invite the scrutiny?
I suspect they wanted the limelight and thought it might help business.

Ironically, though, Weds lunch for the GOP Legislators re-writing the bill was provided by Domino's, not Memories. Seriously.

[riderinthestorm]

15. Memories Pizza has raised almost $60,000 with a GoFundMe account already

[Myrina]

13. I sense a large number of Rednecks starting to show up at church ...

... so they can claim that they too have the 'sincerely held religious belief' required.

A good majority of them - as anyone can see from a quick scan of comments on the local news sites - are just plain old hateful bigots. They don't even hide behind religion, they just hate everyone who isn't part of the Tea Party.

[Gothmog]

5. Governor Dense is feeling the pressure

This law was a real mistake

[Little Tich]

6. The news is spreading around the world.

Just read about this on a Swedish news site.

[Veruca Salt]

12. Here in the UK as well

Co-workers asked me what they were thinking to pass such a law!

[world wide wally]

7. I'm curious about something:

What is the "Christian way" to tell someone you won't sell them a pizza because you think they may be gay?

[LiberalLovinLug]

9. Its a reaction to the court making them adopt gay marriage as legal

So that if a gay couple came in and said they wanted to cater a gay wedding with pizzas (really?) then the owners might feel uncomfortable, sweaty and visually assaulted....er, I mean it would be against their good decent Christian faith, if they had to carry through with the job.

But the easy and obvious solution is, if as a business you cannot manage to do it for whatever reason, too busy, too under-staffed, or just too damn bigoted, then you'd simply tell the customer that you can't manage it at the moment. You as a business owner have every right not to take a dollar when its offered. The pizza shop across the street will get the business instead.

So to make a special law just to rub it in the LGBT communities face by now making it legal to sneer at someone and say "I believe you are living in a chosen "lifestyle" of sin and perversion so get out of my store!!!!" is crass and overtly bigoted and discriminatory.

[tomm2thumbs]

8. ... AND their soul.

Can't put a price on that.

[RKP5637]

10. I would not eat anything from an Indiana restaurant, etc.! Imagine how some might contaminate

your food!

[IronLionZion]

11. They'll just blame Obama for their failing economy

If people and businesses can choose not to do business with someone, then they can choose not to do business with bigots. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.