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When Indiana's Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed a bill into 

law allowing the state's businesses to refuse to serve same-sex couples based on religious grounds

, he knew the move was a controversial one.


, much of it directed at him personally.
On Thursday, in a statement issued immediately after signing the 

, widely supported by conservative groups but vocally opposed by others, Pence said the bill had been "misunderstood" and that "If I thought it legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it."
Almost immediately, however, a 

 hashtag launched on Twitter. Once social media icon George Takei — the actor of 

 fame, who is also gay — weighed in, there was no turning back.



Since then, a stream of critical and sometimes vulgar tweets, Facebook memes, editorial cartoons and even a 

 have been unleashed – many labeling the Hoosier state, its people and/or Gov. Pence as bigoted.
And today, 

 that an estimated 3,000 people were gathered outside the Indiana Statehouse to protest the law, some carrying signs reading "no hate in our state."


 points out that Indiana is not alone — 19 other states have similar laws.
Even so, before Pence signed the bill — which was overwhelmingly approved by the GOP legislature — 

, a major gaming convention that meets annually in Indianapolis threatened to pull out of the state, as did several high-profile companies.


Indianapolis-based Angie's List announced today that it would put a $40 million dollar expansion and 1,000 new jobs on hold over the law.

"Angie's List is open to all and discriminates against none and we are hugely disappointed in what this bill represents," CEO Bill Oesterle said.

, a $4 billion software company with operations in Indiana, changed its mind about an expansion in the state.


 were among others that voiced objections, along with 

 also said it might cancel its next convention scheduled for Indianapolis in 2017.


 as to whether gay and lesbian customers could be turned away in the name of "religious freedom."


"We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees," Emmert said in a statement Thursday afternoon, shortly after the bill was signed.

 to the debate.
"Discrimination in any form is unacceptable to me," he said. "As long as anti-gay legislation exists in any state, I strongly believe big events such as the Final Four and Super Bowl should not be held in those states' cities."  Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Politics and Government News

When Gov. Mike Pence signed a law that allows his state's businesses to refuse to serve same-sex couples, he could hardly have anticipated the dramatic backlash he's received.

Indiana's 'religious freedom' bill sparks firestorm of controversy

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