CEO DATELINE - Indiana amends ‘religious freedom' act opposed by several associations

April 3, 2015 |
Walt Williams

Groups worried members could be targets of discrimination

Want more news?

Consider joining CEO Update. Membership gives full access to the latest intelligence on association management, career advancement, compensation trends and networking events, as well as hundreds of listings for senior-level association jobs.

Click here for membership details.

An Indiana law that critics say would have allowed businesses to discriminate against gay people has been amended to negate the offending language, with associations among those advocating for the changes.

Indiana lawmakers added language to the law explicitly stating businesses could not discriminate against race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or U.S. military service, CNN reported. Gov. Mike Pence signed the changes into law Thursday.

The state's "religious freedom" law drew fierce criticism from social activists and the business community, including associations that feared members could be targeted for discrimination. Among them was ASAE, which asked Pence on March 30 to amend the law to prevent discrimination against segments of the population.

Also raising concerns was the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, which noted in a letter to Pence that Indiana was home to many meetings and conventions. However, the association opposed boycotting or pulling shows from the state in protest of the law, according to the Trade Show News Network.

"It has already become very apparent that many businesses, meetings, conventions and exhibitions have either already done so, or are considering, boycotting Indiana for current and future engagements," IAEE board chair Megan Tanel said. "Such boycotts negatively impact Indiana employees who work in the hospitality, exhibitions and events industry." http://bit.ly/1yKleB8

At least one group viewed boycotts as an appropriate response. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees canceled its October women's conference in Indianapolis in protest.

In addition to meetings, the law would have had direct impact on any associations based in the state. One, the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, sent a memo to members March 30 letting them know it was monitoring the situation, according to industry news site CE Pro.

"The association does not support discrimination of any kind and will take care going forward to ensure our members and customers are not negatively impacted by Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act," CEDIA wrote. http://bit.ly/1DFcX7z

As of Friday morning, no associations had responded to the changes made to the law.