As a once-proud Hoosier parent, I am outraged by the recent restoration of Indiana’s religious freedom law.
Both my children chose IU for their undergraduate studies (Class of ‘06 and ‘09), but if the new law was in effect at that time, IU surely would have been eliminated from contention.
For far too long Americans have been held hostage by religious zealots, and the passage of this ghastly law is a painful reminder of that fact.
Why should religious freedoms be protected over the civil rights of any other American?
I’m not implying in any way that the University shares the radical views this new law promotes, but I have no doubt it will be effected by it nonetheless.
Fair or not, that’s just a reality.
Another reality is that Indiana, the state and the University, will feel a harsh economic backlash from this new law, and rightly so.
Whether that helps turn the tide on this issue remains to be seen. I would like to once again be proud that my kids were educated at such a world-renowned institution as IU instead of the embarrassment I now feel caused the narrow-minded leadership of the state.
The governor can say all he likes that the new law is “misunderstood,” but until it’s repealed, its intent to discriminate is loud and clear.
Beth Wallach
New York City
bethwallach@mac.com
