At least four major state and city governments are the latest banning taxpayer-funded travel to Indiana in response to a new anti-gay law.
When you hear of a “travel ban,” it’s usually issued by the State Department in response to violence or a medical health danger. But in recent days, the cities of Seattle, Washington, and San Francisco, California, have issued bans on taxpayer-funded travel to the State of Indiana. So have Connecticut and Washington State.
And just now, Governor Andrew Cuomo of the State of New York has issued a ban on all state-funded non-essential travel to Indiana. So has Mayor Jeri Muoio of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Portland, Oregon, Mayor Charlie Hales, along with San Francisco State University President Leslie E. Wong.
“Today, I direct all agencies, departments, boards and commissions to immediately review all requests for state funded or state sponsored travel to the State of Indiana and to bar any such publicly funded travel that is not essential to the enforcement of state law or public health and safety. The ban on publicly funded travel shall take effect immediately,” Gov. Cuomo said in a statement.Â
“New York State has been, and will continue to be, a leader in ensuring that all LGBT persons enjoy full and equal civil rights. With this action, we stand by our LBGT family members, friends and colleagues to ensure that their rights are respected.”
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales issued a scathing rebuke to Indiana lawmakers and Gov. Pence.
“Gov. Mike Pence and the Indiana Legislature have to understand that such blatant discrimination against their own citizens cannot stand. We, as a country, have moved so far from those shameful practices of the past,†Hales said via a news release.
President Wong also issued a strong statement, but added a personal touch.
“I am dismayed, if not extremely disappointed, in the recent legislation signed into law in Indiana. It is unconscionable for this great University to spend its resources in a state that attempts to legislate discrimination of any kind.”
“As a member of the NCAA Division II President’s Council, I will not attend a required meeting of the Council to be held in April in Indianapolis. A copy of this note is being sent to NCAA President Mark Emmert and to CSU Chancellor Timothy White.”
“Our commitment to social justice on this campus remains a point of pride for me. The vice presidents, deans and Academic Senate’s Executive Committee all endorse this action.”
Mayor Jeri Muoio wrote, “I am suspending all city funded travel to Indiana because of the recent passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act which allows discrimination against LGBT people.”
“Until the Act is repealed, travel to Indiana will not be approved for reimbursement.”
Meanwhile, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is slated to make her announcement this evening:
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Image: ©The New Civil Rights Movement