Indiana made headlines around the country for the wrong reason when Governor Mike Pence signed into law the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Days later, local business and leaders released statements opposing the move and ensuring the public knew that they were available for business from anyone. Simply put, they do not discriminate.
That’s not Indiana, and perhaps that wasn’t Governor Pence’s intention. It’s all very cloudy.
The Indiana Pacers and Fever were one Indianapolis’ first professional teams to make clear that they were against it.
“The Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever and Bankers Life Fieldhouse have the strongest possible commitment to inclusion and non-discrimination on any basis,” team owner Herb Simon said in a statement. “Everyone is always welcome at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. That has always been the policy from the very beginning of the Simon family’s involvement and it always will be.”
As thousands of visitors and media members invade Indy for the 2015 Final Four, the folks at Pacers Sports & Entertainment took it a step further in ensuring every single guest knows they are welcome.
A banner now hangs on the front of the Fieldhouse (see below) which reads: “INDY WELCOMES ALL.”
Hopefully, you already know this. Everyone is welcomed in our house. pic.twitter.com/9tPW4uE145
— Mark Joseph Boyle (@Mark_J_Boyle) April 2, 2015