Despite pressure from opponents, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed a "religious freedom" bill into law on Thursday during a private ceremony not open to the press.
Senate Bill 101 prohibits state or local governments from burdening a person's ability to exercise their religion, and takes effect July 1, The Indianapolis Star reports. While it does not mention sexual orientation, critics of the bill are afraid it could lead to people being able to deny services to gays and lesbians on religious grounds. Opponents say the timing of the bill is also suspicious, as it comes after last year's unsuccessful attempt to get a same-sex marriage ban added to Indiana's constitution.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Ukraine hints at end to 'hot war' with Russia in 2025Talking Points Could the new year see an end to the worst European violence of the 21st Century?
-
What does the FDIC do?In the Spotlight Deposit insurance builds confidence in the banking system
-
2024: The year of conspiracy theoriesIN THE SPOTLIGHT Global strife and domestic electoral tensions made this year a bonanza for outlandish worldviews and self-justifying explanations
-
ABC News to pay $15M in Trump defamation suitSpeed Read The lawsuit stemmed from George Stephanopoulos' on-air assertion that Trump was found liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll
-
Judge blocks Louisiana 10 Commandments lawSpeed Read U.S. District Judge John deGravelles ruled that a law ordering schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms was unconstitutional
-
How would assisted dying work in the UK?The Explainer Proposed law would apply to patients in England and Wales with less than six months to live – but medics may be able to opt out
-
Assisted dying: will the law change?Talking Point Historic legislation likely to pass but critics warn it must include safeguards against abuse
-
The EU's landmark AI Act 'rushed' out as countdown begins on complianceThe Explainer 'We will be hiring lawyers while the rest of the world is hiring coders' – Europe's warning about new AI legislation
-
How a Cherokee tribe used tribal sovereignty to open North Carolina's only legal cannabis dispensaryUnder the radar The tribe has plans to open sales to any adult in the state, even though the drug is still illegal there
-
The state of sex work legalization around the worldIn Depth The world's oldest profession has come a long way, but some say it is not enough
-
Is international law falling apart?Today's Big Question Conflict in Gaza is testing the strength of the two intergovernmental courts in The Hague
