Celebration In Indianapolis

INDIANA: GOP Indianapolis Mayor Serves As Grand Marshal For Pride Parade

At the height of Indiana's ugly RFRA battle, it was GOP Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard who stepped forward as the bill's most prominent opponent. Yesterday he served as grand marshal of Indy Pride.

Indianapolis: All Are Welcome

A couple of days ago Indianapolis updated its main official tourism site with the above message. That move coincided with GOP Mayor Greg Ballard's signing of an executive order reaffirming that any business that contracts with the city must abide by its pro-LGBT human rights ordinance. (Tipped by JMG reader Eddie)

Tomorrow's Indianapolis Star

UPDATE: Here is some of the editorial.

Only bold action — action that sends an unmistakable message to the world that our state will not tolerate discrimination against any of its citizens — will be enough to reverse the damage. Gov. Mike Pence and the General Assembly need to enact a state law to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, education and public accommodations on the basis of a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Those protections and RFRA can co-exist. They do elsewhere.

Laws protecting sexual orientation and gender identity are not foreign to Indiana. Indianapolis, for example, has had those legal protections in place for nearly a decade. Indy's law applies to businesses with more than six employees, and exempts religious organizations and non-profit groups.

The city's human rights ordinance provides strong legal protection — and peace of mind —for LGBT citizens; yet, it has not placed an undue burden on businesses. Importantly, passage of a state human rights law would send a clear message that Indiana will not tolerate discrimination. It's crucial for that message to be communicated widely.

INDIANA: GOP Indy Mayor Calls For LGBT Rights, GOP Reps Scamble To "Fix" Bill

GOP Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard today called for statewide LGBT anti-discrimination protections.

Ballard said Monday he is issuing an executive order that anyone who receives money from the city must abide by its human rights ordinance. The mayor called a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the city's responsde to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Mike Pence last week. "Our city thrives because we have welcomed and embraced diversity. And RFRA threatens what thousands have spent decades building," Ballard said. "Discrimination is wrong. And I hope that message is being heard loud and clear at our Statehouse." Ballard said that everyone will be welcome at the NCAA men's basketball Final Four this weekend. "Indianapolis will not be defined by this. Indianapolis welcomes everybody," he said. Later Monday, the City-County Council will introduce Proposition 120, a special resolution denouncing the law and urging the General Assembly to add protections for sexual orientation to state civil rights law. Failing that, the resolution says, the state should exempt local human rights ordinances from the statute.

Meanwhile Republican leaders of the Indiana Assembly are scrambling to cover their asses.

INDIANA: Christian Church Threatens To Pull Convention Over Anti-Gay Bill

Via the Indianapolis Star:

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has sent a letter to Gov. Mike Pence threatening to cancel its 2017 convention in Indianapolis if he signs controversial legislation that could allow business owners to refuse services to same-sex couples. "Our perspective is that hate and bigotry wrapped in religious freedom is still hate and bigotry," Todd Adams, the associate general minister and vice president of the Indianapolis-based denomination, told The Indianapolis Star. Adams said the Disciples of Christ would instead seek a host city that is "hospitable and welcome to all of our attendees." The letter stated the church is inclusive of different races, ethnicities, ages, genders and sexual orientations. "As a Christian church," it read, "we are particularly sensitive to the values of the One we follow – one who sat at (the) table with people from all walks of life, and loved them all. Our church is diverse in point of view, but we share a value for an open Lord's Table."

The 2017 convention is expected to draw 8000 attendees with an economic impact to the city of about $6M.

Tony Perkins Praises Gay Couple For "Civil Solution" After Bakery Refused Them

On Friday an Indianapolis bakery announced on its Facebook page that it had turned away a gay couple that requested a cake for their commitment ceremony.  Last night Tony Perkins praised the couple for finding a "civil solution" by patronizing another bakery.

A few weeks ago, the owners of 111 Cakery got a call from Mike Stephens and Shane Laney, a newly "engaged" couple who wanted to hire Randy and Trish to make the cake for their April commitment ceremony. Knowing it could cost them their business -- or at the very least, change it forever -- the McGaths never wavered. Politely, they explained they couldn't accept the job. Although Mike and Shane complained about the decision on social media, they seem content to "move on" and find another bakery without involving local officials. "We found someone that will do it for us, so we're going to focus on the good," Mike said. And that's exactly as it should be. This is how religious liberty and the free market are supposed to work. Instead of forcing Christians to participate in these ceremonies against their will, the customers simply found their service elsewhere. As with any business policy, the market will vote with their dollars on whether they agree with the McGaths' position. And as consumers, they should have that right. Tragically, Mike and Shane's response is an anomaly among those pushing for the redefinition of marriage.

Indiana has no statewide public accommodation protection for LGBT citizens. However in Indianapolis, home to the 111 Cakery, such legal protections do exist.

RELATED: At the second link above, you'll note that Perkins continues to spread the lie that bakers face jail time for refusing LGBT customers. No state has such criminal penalties.

Indiana Bakery Refuses Gay Cake Order

Probably spurred by the two marriage equality lawsuits filed there this month, an Indiana bakery yesterday announced it had refused to sell a cake for a "same-sex ceremony." From the Facebook page of One Eleven Cakery:

As artist we must find the inspiration to create something special for our clients. When asked to do a cake for an occasion or with a theme (alcohol explicit in nature) that is in opposition to our faith, that inspiration is not found. We feel that it is important for a paying customer to know when this is the case. Why would you want a cake that is less then inspired for your special event. That is why this week we told a man that requested a cake for a same sex ceremony that it was against our policy but we would be happy to help him with anything else. It was not that we wanted to deny them a cake it’s just tough to create something that goes against your beliefs. Was this the right thing to say? Maybe not but this phone call caused us to do a lot of soul searching because we want to be right with our God as well as respect others. We have not heard from this man but would welcome a chance to meet with him. We sincerely wish them the best. Please know that there is zero hate here. We are not judging the lives of our clients. We are not trying to make a political statement or change someone’s mind. We respect the fact that everyone has different values and believes. Everyone is entitled to their opinion we would encourage you to share those in a respectful way. We have happily done cakes for gay people, as well as people with different believes.

Indiana has no statewide public accommodation protection for LGBT citizens. However in Indianapolis, home to the One Eleven Cakery, such legal protections DO exist. (Tipped by JMG reader Homer)