INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana’s Republican legislative leaders said Monday they’re working on adding language to a new state law to make it clear that it doesn’t allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.
The move comes amid widespread outcry over the measure that prohibits state laws that “substantially burden” a person’s ability to follow his or her religious beliefs. The definition of “person” includes religious institutions, businesses and associations.
Businesses and organizations across the country have canceled future travel to Indiana, tabled expansion plans or criticized the legislation. Opponents have taken to social media with the hashtag #boycottindiana.
House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long said during Monday’s news conference that similar laws exist across the country and have not generated the backlash that Indiana has seen. Bosma blamed the reaction on a “mischaracterization” of the law by both opponents and some supporters.
“What we had hoped for with the bill was a message of inclusion, inclusion of all religious beliefs,” Bosma said. “What instead has come out as a message of exclusion, and that was not the intent.”