Indiana Republicans send Amazon a loud message about bringing HQ2 to the state

By John Gallagher · Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Indiana Republicans are sending a clear message to Amazon as the company searches for a location for their new second headquarters complex. Indianapolis was named as one of the finalists for the new “HQ2,” but based on the GOP’s actions, the digital giant might as well pick some other city.

After days of wrangling, the GOP decided to keep language in their party platform that excludes LGBT parents from the definition of “family,” and condemns same-sex marriage. The platform tells Amazon that if you’re looking for an environment friendly to LGBTQ workers, Indiana isn’t it.

It’s not as if Amazon has hidden how important this requirement is. According to the Washington Post (a paper owned by Amazon’s owner Jeff Bezos), “Amazon has quietly made rights for and acceptance of gay and transgender people part of its criteria in choosing a second headquarters.”

Indiana Republicans have been down this road before, led by then-Gov. Mike Pence. Pence’s decision in 2015 to sign a religious liberty bill that essentially validated discrimination against LGBTQ citizens led to a firestorm of controversy. The law led to an intense backlash against the state led by major businesses, forcing Pence to back down.

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https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/06/indiana-republicans-send-amazon-loud-message-bringing-hq2-state/