In a state known for its discriminatory RFRA, one Indiana city has passed an anti-discrimination ordinance.
From LGBTQ Nation:
The Carmel City Council has narrowly passed an ordinance banning discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity, defeating efforts by social conservatives to block the measure in the affluent Indianapolis suburb.
The council voted 4-to-3 on Monday in favor of the ordinance during a packed meeting.
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard had hoped to fast-track the ordinance, which was sponsored by six of the seven council members when it was introduced in August. But socially conservative organizations pushed back against the proposed protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, The Indianapolis Star reported.
Council member Kevin Rider said he’s against discrimination but couldn’t support the ordinance without some or all of the changes he and two other council members who also voted against the measure had sought, including more exemptions for Christian-owned businesses.
“If you make me choose between God and government, I’m going to choose God every time,” Rider said.
We can all agree that the passage of this ordinance, however narrow, is a good thing. But, like a stray hair in an otherwise excellent bowl of soup, the comments of Kevin Rider are troubling. He says that he's against discrimination, but only if the ones doing the discriminating are not God-fearing Christians. Subscribe to his brand of personal beliefs? Go right ahead and refuse service to whomever you choose. These are some Cirque du Soleil-level mental acrobatics. Not to mention that nobody is making him choose between God and government. By running for office, he made that choice himself.
Regardless of the stunning hypocrisy of some of its lawmakers, our hearty congratulations go out to Carmel, Indiana.