Background: Indiana and Arkansas’ state legislatures recently passed bills that could legalize discrimination against LGBT individuals by allowing any individual or business to cite its religious beliefs as a defense against discrimination suits. Though intense pressure from Hoosiers and Arkansans and scrutiny from the media led for these laws to be amended, the amendments don’t fix the situation entirely.
Hillary Clinton tweeted her opposition to the original Indiana and Arkansas laws, continuing her long record of standing up for LGBT rights in the U.S. and across the globe.
Hillary Clinton @HillaryClinton: Sad this new Indiana law can happen in America today. We shouldn’t discriminate against ppl bc of who they love #LGBT huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/26/ind…[3/26/15, 9:32 p.m. EST]
Hillary Clinton @HillaryClinton: Like IN law, AR bill goes beyond protecting religion, would permit unfair discrimination against #LGBT Americans. I urge Governor to veto. [4/1/15, 8:33 a.m. EST]
KEY POINTS:
Hillary Clinton spoke out against the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, recently signed into law by Indiana Governor Mike Pence, and a similar bill passed by the Arkansas state legislature, writing that we shouldn’t discriminate against people because of who they love.
Hillary Clinton has a long record of standing up in the U.S. Senate and on the global stage for LGBT rights.
As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton included LGBT rights in a comprehensive human rights agenda and promoted equality as a core value of U.S. foreign policy.
Hillary Clinton championed LGBT rights internationally and declared to the world that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights.
Clinton partnered with other countries to pass the first United Nations resolution highlighting LGBT rights as human rights.
Clinton directed the State Department to offer equal benefits and protections to same-sex partners of American diplomat and to “explicitly protect against discriminatory treatment of employees and job applicants based on gender identity.”
As a Senator, Hillary Clinton advocated for LGBT rights and fought against the discrimination of LGBT persons.
Hillary Clinton advocated for lifting the restrictions that block gay and lesbian couples from adopting kids.
Clinton spoke out against the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
Clinton repeatedly cosponsored ENDA, to prevent employee discrimination based on sexual orientation, and cosponsored the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Hillary Clinton fully supports marriage equality, personally and as a matter of law. Like many other Americans, her personal views have been shaped over time.
There are significant differences between the Indiana and Arkansas bills and the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
For example, unlike the legislation signed in 1993, this Indiana law explicitly allows corporate interests to assert religious ‘rights’ over the rights of individual Americans.
As Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said, “They’re different laws in different times with a different intent.BOTTOM LINE: Throughout her career, Hillary Clinton has stood up for LGBT rights, fought against discrimination, and consistently worked to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Americans are excited about Hillary because she offers a vision for our future based off of equality, opportunity, and prosperity for all.
http://correctrecord.org/the-points/hillary-clinton-strong-on-lgbt-rights-and-opposed-to-indiana-and-arkansas-legislation/