Indiana Lawmakers Announce Proposed Change to Religious Freedom Bill

Indiana lawmakers announced Thursday that they will revise their recently-passed religious freedom bill to prevent local businesses from discriminating against gay customers.

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said during a press conference Thursday that the legislation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act had been revised to include a section that prevents businesses from discriminating against gay customers.

"What was intended as a message of inclusion was interpreted as a message of exclusion, especially for the LGBT community," Bosma told reporters during a press conference. "Nothing could have been further from the truth, but it was clear the perception had to be addressed."

The amendment being added to the legislation says the state does not "authorize a provider to refuse to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing to any member or members of the general public on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or United States military Service."

The new legislation still must be approved by the House and the Senate, as well as Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

The legislation, signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence last week, sought to provide First Amendment protections to Hoosiers by preventing the local and state governments from burdening the expression of religion in any way, unless they could show compelling interest to do so.

The legislation received some criticism from those who argued that it would pave the way for small businesses to discriminate against gay customers based on their religious beliefs.

Those defending the law, including Gov. Pence, said such an interpretation was a misunderstanding, and the legislation was simply meant to ensure that all religious freedom rights were safely guarded.

One small business, Memories Pizza located in Walkerton, received widespread social media attention when its owners said that they would not be able to serve pizzas to a same-sex wedding based on their religious beliefs.

Although the small business received vulgar messages on social media, including threats to burn their restaurant down, the pizzeria also received support for those who called for tolerance for the owners' religious beliefs.

"Because nothing says tolerance like threatening to kill Christians & burn down their businesses," tweeted Victor Nikki.

The pizzeria was also able to raise $50,000 on a GoFundMe page by Thursday morning.