Newly released e-mails detail exactly how much economic damage has been done to Indiana since the fiasco earlier this year when the Indiana state legislature passed and Governor Mike Pence signed a so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” (RFRA) which would have allowed businesses to discriminate against members of the LGBT community. The act was later amended, but still does not fully protect LGBT Hoosiers.
Some of the e-mails show concern by economic development officials around the state. The president of Wayne County’s economic development agency wrote to share troubling news from a Canadian automotive supply company that had expressed interest in locating its business in Indiana:
“They feel like coming to Indiana in the near future would demonstrate their companies’ support of the bill. Not good.”
In direct response to the Indiana RFRA law, over 130 technology companies – including industry leaders from Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Verizon, AT&T, and others – took the unprecedented stance of calling for an end to anti-LGBT legislation around the country, saying:
“We believe it is critically important to speak out about proposed bills and existing laws that would put the rights of minorities at risk. The transparent and open economy of the future depends on it, and the values of this great nation are at stake.”
Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing Olivia Dalton remarked on the law’s impact:
“Pence’s law hurt Indiana’s image despite the fact that three out of four Hoosiers disagreed with it. Politicians considering similar bills across the nation should take note of the tremendous damage such laws bring to their business communities. This is precisely why major U.S. companies are endorsing the Equality Act, federal legislation that would ensure all people – regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity – are protected against discrimination in every state nationwide.”
Public and business outcry forced the legislature to pass a bill clarifying that the legislation “could not be used to justify discrimination,” but polling commissioned law was passed revealed that 75 percent of Hoosiers believe the anti-LGBT legislation damaged the state’s economy—and that a 55 percent majority of Hoosiers disapproved of the job Governor Pence was doing. In June, further polling indicated Pence’s re-election was no longer assured.
This is a clear message to any state that wants to pass discriminatory legislation in the name of protecting religion: Do so at your own economic peril.
