Watch: Indiana governor stumped by ‘yes or no’ question on gays getting fired
The Governor of Indiana is apparently still unable to answer a simple yes-or-no question about whether LGBT people should be protected from employment discrimination.
Indiana stirred up international outrage last year when lawmakers signed the controversial ‘Religious Freedom Restoration Act’, which gives businesses the right to discriminate against gay people on the grounds of religion.
Though attempts have been made to water down the provisions, Republican lawmakers continue to block any attempts to pass LGBT anti-discrimination protections, which would protect workers from getting fired because of their sexuality.
But despite having nearly a year to think about it, the state’s Republican Governor Mike Pence appears unable to answer a simple question on the issue.
A clip released by Freedom Indiana sees Pence asked at an event: “Yes or no: do you believe gay and transgender people should be able to be fired from their jobs just for that reason only?”
After an awkward ten-second silence, Pence attempted to stall, rambling: “It’s a great privilege to be your Governor.
He eventually kicked into PR mode, responding: “I don’t think anyone should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love, but my position as I expressed in the state of the State address is that we are a state with a constitution, and as you know… that constitution has very strong safeguards for freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.
“My strong conviction is that should the general assembly put legislation on my desk… which they considered this year… should I continue to be the governor, it must be consistent with the constitution.
“But I will not support legislation that diminishes religious freedom.
“I hope you hear my heart as much as my head on this, because it really is a great privilege to serve you.”
In other words, he gave a 120-word answer instead of the simple one-word one… and still didn’t answer.
Freedom Indiana notes: “Indiana Governor Mike Pence has never been able to answer the question of whether he believes LGBT Hoosiers should be fired for who they are.
“Time after time, he has dodged the question of why he does not support comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBT people.”
