Tweets of the Week: Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Editor’s Note: This story will be updated. Readers can alert IM to noteworthy viewpoints expressed on social media about the subject of Indiana Senate Bill 101 by posting a comment below, sharing with us via Twitter and Facebook, or emailing the story’s co-author here.
“And how does that make you feel?” Some might say Indiana itself, or at least many a resident, needs a therapist after the Hoosier State drew local, national, and even international ire (we’re looking at you, BBC) this week and last over Senate Bill 101, also known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). National types and Indianapolis- and Indiana-based businesses and individuals—large and small, famous and not—are taking to social media to share what they think and how they feel about the RFRA. Governor Mike Pence signed the controversial legislation into law today to the dismay of many and to the resounding cheers of still a number of others. The law’s stated intent is to allow religion-centric businesses to turn away customers who don’t align with their beliefs, and allows individuals not to associate in such settings with those who allegedly would compromise their religious holdings. Public figures, businesses, and media observers are all chiming in:
I signed SEA 101 today to ensure religious liberty is fully protected under IN law https://t.co/vCOASZBZnH pic.twitter.com/CMFJh6aLDx
— Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) March 26, 2015
Sad this new Indiana law can happen in America today. We shouldn't discriminate against ppl bc of who they love #LGBT https://t.co/mDhpS18oEH
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 27, 2015
SB 101 #RFRA is now law. Want to thank @GovPenceIN for standing firm for #ReligiousFreedom pic.twitter.com/Boioi4Jhxs
— AFA-IN (@AFAofIndiana) March 26, 2015
NCAA Is Not Pleased With New Anti-Gay Law In State Hosting Final Four- will they refuse gay fans into games?!? https://t.co/TsQW5lZPmT
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) March 26, 2015
.@GovPenceIN Some in my band are gay & we have 2 gigs in your state next month. Should we call ahead to make sure the hotel accepts us all?
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 26, 2015
Nice work by @nrarmour: The NCAA should pull its events the hell out of Indiana if this nonsense sticks: https://t.co/v9P23YnhAk
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) March 27, 2015
Apple is open for everyone. We are deeply disappointed in Indiana's new law and calling on Arkansas Gov. to veto the similar #HB1228.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 27, 2015
Given what happened in Indiana, it's time for this #ThrowbackThursday, along with what I tweeted about 4 years ago… pic.twitter.com/BI8CB60bVn
— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) March 27, 2015
At St Elmo Steak House and Harry & Izzys, we employ, welcome, and serve ALL. #religiousfreedom pic.twitter.com/SEfwEBXbmV
— St. Elmo Steak House (@stelmo) March 25, 2015
How do they know who the gay people are so they can discriminate against them? Do bigoted Hoosiers have the world's best gaydar?
— MacLeodCartoons (@MacLtoons) March 24, 2015
Playing the "what if" game and wondering how #JustIN would have spun #RFRA had JustIN not been squashed.
— Vanessa Stiles, APR (@VictorySunPR) March 26, 2015
If @GovPenceIN doesn't like the way the media is covering #RFRA why doesn't he just make his own…oh ok #JustIN https://t.co/heempPpt19
— Brock Benefiel (@brockbenefiel) March 26, 2015
I'm not going to stay in Indiana after this law's passage. I will take my tax dollars elsewhere. Are you hiring? Hook me up.
— roxane gay (@rgay) March 26, 2015
Gen Con has released an official letter to Indiana Governor Mike Pence regarding Diversity and SB 101. https://t.co/GN5zax88HO
— Gen Con (@Gen_Con) March 24, 2015
Outraged over Indiana Freedom to Discriminate law, signed today. LGBTs aren't 2nd class citizens. #BoycottIndiana #Pence
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 26, 2015
Today we are canceling all programs that require our customers/employees to travel to Indiana to face discrimination. https://t.co/SvTwyCHxvE
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) March 26, 2015
We are forced to dramatically reduce our investment in IN based on our employee's & customer's outrage over the Religious Freedom Bill.
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) March 26, 2015
Simple fact: after Indiana enacts a law permitting prejudice against some of its customers, NCAA should pull Final 4 out of Indy. Right now
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) March 26, 2015
What is happening in Indiana is pretty unbelievable. However it’s dressed up, it’s a signal that discrimination is welcome in this state.
— Max Levchin (@mlevchin) March 26, 2015
Mike Pence just damaged Indiana's economy to impress a small group of uber right extremists. Legal discrimination is bad policy. #SB101
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) March 26, 2015
As a Hoosier, I'm deeply saddened and embarrassed. A government exists to protect its citizens; instead, it is legalizing their oppression.
— John Green (@johngreen) March 26, 2015
Dear @GovPenceIN People say I'm the most well known Deaf person out there. But from what I see on the news, looks you're deaf to equality.
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) March 27, 2015
Charles Barkley says Indiana shouldn’t host Final Four in light of legislation. https://t.co/NKk1qlzDH8 pic.twitter.com/QsMVHQ9gwo
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 28, 2015
We're not embarrassed for Indiana. The people and places we love haven't changed. We're embarrassed for out-of-touch people in high places.
— UnitedStateOfIndiana (@usiapparel) March 26, 2015
I've been asked by several people for my opinion on #SB101 – here it is: https://t.co/nze666j1aX
— Scott Wise (@brewhouse) March 26, 2015
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) March 27, 2015
#CT's @GovMalloyOffice will sign executive order banning state-funded travel to #IN because of #RFRA. #lgbt #INLegis pic.twitter.com/BEbGnitrlS
— Freedom Indiana (@freedom_indiana) March 30, 2015
Once again, Knope gets it. Pledge to #StayAndFight with @freedom_indiana while we #FightForIndiana @jonscott81 pic.twitter.com/fephBiz5jV
— JoshuaOwen (@JoshuaOwen) March 30, 2015
Jason Collins, the first openly gay active NBA player spoke out days before the bill’s passage and signing:
.@GovPenceIN, is it going to be legal for someone to discriminate against me & others when we come to the #FinalFour? https://t.co/uBlKbIf8YK
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) March 23, 2015
More notable business leaders and celebrities took to Facebook and Instagram to express their concerns about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act:
Saturday Night Live poked fun at RFRA during its The Weekend Update segment:Video via WTHR Channel 13
Governor Mike Pence appeared on This Week with George Stephanopoulos to discuss RFRA:
Video via This Week
