INDIANA: Gov. Mike Pence Vows To Block Any Bill That “Interferes” With Religious Liberty

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence last night delivered his State Of The State address in which he signaled his opposition to any advances in LGBT rights. Via the Indianapolis Star:

“I will not support any bill that diminishes the religious freedom or Hoosiers or interferes with the constitutional rights of our citizens to live out their beliefs in worship, service or work,” said Governor Mike Pence Tuesday.

Pence was unclear as to whether he’d support a bill that would enhance civil rights for gay, lesbian, and transgender Hoosiers.

“So as you go about your work on this and other issues, know that I will always give careful consideration to any bill that you send me. But legislation must be consistent with the Indiana constitution,” he said.

“There were a lot of sighs and a lot of groans and there was a lot of heads in hands,” said Cameron St. Andrews, a supporter of expanding civil protections for LGBT Hoosiers.

More from the Northwest Indiana Times:

The governor tried to carefully thread a course between the two sides by insisting Hoosiers do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, while Hoosiers also cherish the religious liberties enshrined in Indiana’s Constitution.

Pence said he’s not certain whether it is possible, or even necessary, to reconcile those two values, and did not endorse any of the nearly one dozen legislative proposals seeking to do so.

Instead, he signaled that any anti-discrimination legislation lacking significant exceptions for individuals or organizations that might possibly be classified as religious would be met by his veto pen.