Indiana’s governor has signed into law a bill that some say will discriminate against gay people.
Republican Governor Mike Pence says the law protects people’s religious values. He signed the bill in private without media present. Pence says there’s been a lot of misunderstanding about the law. He says it mimics a federal statute that’s been on the books for more than 20 years.
"This bill is now about discrimination and if I thought it legalized discrimination in any way I would have vetoed it. It does not apply to disputes between private parties unless government action is involved."
Critics claim the law will allow businesses to avoid providing services to same-sex couples.
Jennifer Wagner of Freedom Indiana, a pro LGBT group, calls today’s signing of the law as quote “a sad day for Indiana.”
The organizers of a major gaming convention in Indiana have threatened to leave the state because of the new law.