RFRA fix does not widely extend discrimination protections for LGBT, experts say

Source: Indianapolis Star

The changes to the state's embattled "religious freedom" bill would only offer anti-discrimination protections for gays and lesbians in 11 Indiana communities where such protections already exist, legal experts say.

The amendment, which Gov. Mike Pence signed Thursday, would prevent Christian bakers, florists and other similar businesses from denying services to same-sex couples who are seeking to get married. But only in communities, such as Indianapolis and Bloomington, that already have local ordinances that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, legal experts on both sides of the debate agree.

In the rest of Indiana, discrimination against gays and lesbians still is not expressly prohibited, said Daniel Conkle, a professor at Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

"The law still has a gap in Indiana in that we do not have, even with this amendment, a statewide protection for gays and lesbians," Conkle said. "It does not itself prohibit a statewide discrimination based on sexual orientation."

Read more: http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/02/yes-rfra-fix-require-christian-businesses-serve-gay-weddings/70848994/