Indianapolis Star On 'Anti-Gay' Law: Fix This Now

(RTTNews) - Outrage in the business world may be helping re-shape a new Indiana law that many are calling "anti-gay."

Embarrassed and worried about the backlash from the national business community, the state's paper of record is loudly calling on legislators to re-word the law.

The front page of the Indianapolis Star this morning blares the headline "Fix This Now."

Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was passed into law last week last week, makes it legal for people or companies to challenge government laws that could infringe on their religion.

The bill opens the door for companies to refuse services or otherwise discriminate against gay people, a group not specifically protected by federal anti-discrimination laws.

In an op-ed price, the Star writes that Republican Gov. Mike Pence and the lawmakers need to pass an accompanying state human-rights bill that makes "discrimination in employment, housing, education and public accommodations on the basis of a person's sexual orientation or gender identity" illegal.

"Governor, Indiana is in a state of crisis. It is worse than you seem to understand," says the paper.

Salesforce and Angie's List have already decided to scale back Indiana operations, while engine maker Cummins and drug-maker Eli Lilly and Co., huge players in the region, have also called for changes.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, an openly gay man, said "There's something very dangerous happening in states across the country," referring to laws in Indiana and elsewhere that "would allow people to discriminate against their neighbors."

Two of the nation's more liberal state governments, Connecticut and Washington state, announced a boycott of Indiana on Monday.