The presidents of three colleges in Indiana have released statements opposing the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Last week, Governor Mike Pence signed SB101, which allows anyone in the Midwestern US state – including private businesses and organizations – to discriminate against LGBTI people and others due to religious beliefs.
According to WTHR.com, a local news station, the presidents of Butler University, DePauw University, and Indiana University issued letters, on 29 March, requesting state leaders to reconsider the law and its impact.
‘The recent passage of the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act has brought significant negative attention to the state of Indiana throughout the nation and indeed the world, because the law is widely viewed as signaling an unwelcoming and discriminatory atmosphere in our state,’
Indiana University President Michael McRobbie wrote.
James Danko, Butler University’s president, noted the college’s ‘community expressed concerns about the impact this law may have on our state and our University.’
Danko, like McRobbie, also wondered how the news of the law would be considered out of the state.
‘No matter your opinion of the law, it is hard to argue with the fact it has done significant damage to our state,’ Butler’s president said.
DePauw University President Brian Casey ‘[urged the] Governor and the legislature to take all steps necessary to address the harm this legislation has caused.’
In an ABC News interview, Pence insisted there would be no changes in the law.