Tony Cook writes for the Indianapolis Star and USA Today.
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Indiana Lawmakers Agree to Amend ‘Religious Freedom’ Law
Organizers fire up a crowd to protest the law in Indianapolis on March 28, 2015. Photo via REUTERS / Nate Chute / RNS
Indiana Republican legislative leaders, under growing pressure from inside and outside the state, said April 2 that lawmakers had reached agreement to amend Indiana’s controversial “religious freedom” law to ensure it does not discriminate against gay and lesbian customers of Indiana businesses.
The proposal, rolled out at the Statehouse, would grant new protections for LGBT customers, employees and tenants.
“What was intended as a message of inclusion was interpreted as a message of exclusion, especially for the LGBT community,” Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma told reporters at the Statehouse.
“Nothing could have been further from the truth, but it was clear the perception had to be addressed.”
“Hoosiers value gays, straights, blacks, whites, religious and nonreligious,” Bosma said.
“We value each and every Hoosier.”