On the heels of the controversy surrounding Indiana’s new religious freedom law, Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr., announced Tuesday that he and the city oppose discrimination of any kind “whether in the City of Hammond, the State of Indiana or the United States of America.”
A statement from the City of Hammond says the Religious Freedom Restoration Act “violates the basic due process and equal protection principles of the Constitution and results in disparate treatment of specific groups of citizens.”
The measure signed by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence last week and set to take effect in July prohibits state laws that “substantially burden” a person’s ability to follow his or her religious beliefs. The definition of “person” includes religious institutions, businesses and associations.
“I want to be clear. What the governor signed into law last week has no place in Hammond,” McDermott said. “We welcome everyone and we are open for business to everyone.”
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The city further notes its offering of health insurance benefits to spouses and children of employees in same-sex marriages in addition to recognizing marriage licenses from other states for health insurance eligibility prior to the striking down of the state’s same-sex marriage ban.
“I have always believed that the people of Indiana are welcoming and compassionate,” McDermott said. “The law that was signed by the governor last week is not the Indiana that I know.”
The measure has drawn backlash from many in Indiana’s business community and others with ties – established and planned – to the Hoosier state. Notable figures such as Apple’s Tim Cook and the NCAA have also voiced their concerns.
Pence said Tuesday that the measure has been “grossly mischaracterized” and subjected to “shoddy reporting,” causing legislators to work around the clock to draft new legislation to clarify its intent. The Republican reiterated that the intent of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was not to discriminate but to protect religious freedom.
