INDIANA: Haters Applaud Gov. Mike Pence’s Vow To Block Bills That “Interfere” With Religious Liberty

During his State Of The State address on Tuesday night, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signaled to opposition to any expansion of LGBT rights by vowing to block any bill that that “interferes” with religious liberty. The haters, unsurprisingly, are thrilled. Via the Indianapolis Star:

Surrounded by a flock of supporters, the Indiana Pastors Alliance gathered at the Statehouse on Wednesday afternoon to thank Gov. Mike Pence for standing up for religious rights in his State of the State address.

“We consider that to be an unambiguous, direct statement that he is going to protect the religious liberty of Hoosiers,” said Kevin Baird, the alliance’s field director.

Leaders of the Indiana Pastors Alliance, a group of evangelical Christians advocating against LGBT protections, said they hoped that meant Pence would not allow any kind of extension of civil rights to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

That was echoed by the American Family Association of Indiana, another conservative advocacy group, which wrote in an email newsletter Wednesday: “This should mean that Senate Bills 2, 100, 170 and 344 would all be vetoed if any of them reach the governor’s desk, as every one is a serious threat to the free exercise of religion.”

Pence’s vow was denounced yesterday by local and national LGBT groups.