Should Final Four be relocated from Indiana to protest recent anti-gay legislation?

[jreed23]

Of course not. The Final 4 should stay in Indiana, and it doesn't matter if they passed some kind of new anti-gay law.

[Froob]

The irony of the whole thing is the word "freedom" in the legislation. Even if you don't believe in gay being moral that shouldn't mean that you should kick people out of your store or prevent them from being married. Just don't marry a gay person, simple as that.

[BKing10]

For one, the law doesn't legalize discrimination against gays. It just allows using religion as a defense for treating people differently. Quite a jump to just assume it's going to result in gays being treated worse without a single example. I personally don't agree with the bill. Plus it's pointless at this stage to pass it. Especially considering they don't have an actual reason for needing it yet.

But the reaction from the outside public has been misinformed and absurd.

[BKing10]

The irony of the whole thing is the word "freedom" in the legislation. Even if you don't believe in gay being moral that shouldn't mean that you should kick people out of your store or prevent them from being married. Just don't marry a gay person, simple as that.

The law wouldn't allow you to kick someone out of your store for being gay. It also doesn't stop them from being married, since gay marriage is legal here. It just doesn't allow the govt to force those who don't believe to be apart of it.

It would allow you to not provide a service to a situation you don't agree with. They would need to prove that it is against their religious beliefs. It applies more to not being forced to take wedding photos or bake a cake for a gay wedding. So in essence, it is protecting someone's freedom. Just in a very backwards area. Once again. Don't take my post as agreeing with the bill just don't like the misinformation that's out there

[Rip It]

No, of course not, for two reasons:

1. Private business owners shouldn't be forced to promote messages they disagree with, period. If their principles are so deeply-held and so important to them that they're willing to lose business over them, they should have that right. To demand otherwise is a far worse case of human rights violations than anything this bill allows.

2. Even if the bill does promote unjust bigotry (it doesn't), how does attempting to harm the Indiana economy make things better? You claim to be concerned with the livelihood of homosexuals, and yet your solution is to attempt to bring economical downfall to the state? Economical downfall which would harm everyone, including the homosexuals whose livelihood you claim to care about? How does that make any sense? It doesn't, and if something does not make sense, I have no choice but to call bull on it.

What (2) tells me is that opposition to this bill really has nothing to do with protecting the livelihood of homosexuals. Opposition to this bill is nothing more than bigoted bullying. I hope it stands. I just hope those monsters who ignorantly oppose it aren't so crass as to "seek revenge" by attempting to harm the Indiana economy. That would be the true travesty here.

[cl2117]

Realistically no, but if we were talking about next year's final four and if that were in Indiana then yes.

It's not enough these days for people to protest and go on national TV to rail against an issue and thus initiate change. It seems as if the only way to really get the point across on certain issues is for businesses and organizations to take a stand and show that there are actual repercussions for discriminatory policies. I wish that weren't the case, but for example, this issue wouldn't have nearly the amount of coverage and discussion on it if businesses, athletes, high profile figures and organizations like the NCAA didn't come out and say that they have a problem with it. It's unfortunate if that's what it takes these days, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

It's way too late to make any kind of move now, but maybe that's the point of doing it, cause some hardships and hope that the Governor realizes there will be negative impacts for his state and its people if it doesn't change.

[smallgains]

Oh...that backdoor legislation.....

[Froob]

The irony of the whole thing is the word "freedom" in the legislation. Even if you don't believe in gay being moral that shouldn't mean that you should kick people out of your store or prevent them from being married. Just don't marry a gay person, simple as that.

The law wouldn't allow you to kick someone out of your store for being gay. It also doesn't stop them from being married, since gay marriage is legal here. It just doesn't allow the govt to force those who don't believe to be apart of it.

It would allow you to not provide a service to a situation you don't agree with. They would need to prove that it is against their religious beliefs. It applies more to not being forced to take wedding photos or bake a cake for a gay wedding. So in essence, it is protecting someone's freedom. Just in a very backwards area. Once again. Don't take my post as agreeing with the bill just don't like the misinformation that's out there

I was talking more in general but thanks for the specifics.

[contract]

What do all of you think?

No.

[TommyTBolt]

no it should not and the new law isn't "anti-gay" either. just as stupid as when the nfl was talking about moving the superbowl because of legislation over illegal immigrants in arizona.

its so stupid. those who dont believe in the conspiracies should wake up and realize that the media is pushing these angles for a reason. using billion dollar business who are federally approved monopolies and use their popularity and media to push states and coerce states into doing what the big government statists and globalist want.

states rights used to be a good thing about America. not so much anymore. people complain about the government coercing and extorting citizens and think its "wrong" but dont see the same thing happening to states (have done the same thing with drinking laws, are doing it right now with obamacare and other things)

frankly its bs and unamerican. then again this board isnt the place to poll but i bet the majority of dissenters dont even understand what a "republic" like ours is supposed to be about in the first place.

[TommyTBolt]

Also 19 States have similar laws including Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Pennsylvania all home to at least 1 NBA team...
why is Indiana getting singled out? Ask yourself that/

http://dailysignal.com/2015/03/31/these ... hat-means/

[Hornet Mania]

I seriously doubt they will, but only because the mayor of Indianapolis has made it absolutely clear that he does not support the legislation and will do everything in his power to prevent discrimination against the fans attending events in his city. That will give the NCAA sufficient cover to go along as planned. If there was a reasonable prospect of businesses within Indy turning down gay customers they might treat the situation differently, but apparently the city is not going to stand for that nonsense. Any anti-Indiana boycotts in the form of cancelled events would hurt Indy most of all, they're a major convention town, and the mayor knows it. Indy is working overtime to make clear their city is not in step with this foolishness.

As for this law being similar to past laws, it's quite a bit different from the Clinton-era federal law but similar in certain ways to *some* of the other state laws. The federal law was put in place to allow native americans to use peyote as sacrament without losing their jobs, it protects an individuals right to exercise their religious freedom. This law is more focused on allowing businesses leeway in who and who not to serve based on the belief systems of the business owners, it's a fine distinction but a very important one. Other states have similar laws, or in Arkansas' case are considering similar laws, but for whatever reason the Indiana legislation has caught the national attention most. Likely because, as mentioned earlier, Indy is a major convention town. If Mississippi discriminates the nation just shrugs and goes "yeah, well, they're always the worst", they oddly are somewhat shielded from criticism because their reputation has created the expectation of bigotry. Indiana does not have that expectation (although, if you study civil rights history, perhaps it should) and does much more business with national and multinational corporations. Another important distinction that may differentiate this legislation from other states (not all, but some) is that "protected classes" are exempt from the law. Protected classes universally include race and gender, some states have extended that definition to include sexual preference and political beliefs. Any state that has this sort of law but include homosexuals in the "protected classes" is an entirely different situation.

And I just have to laugh at the argument that this legislation is not specifically targeted at homosexuals. Just check out who Pence chose as his guests at the signing event:



Pretty obvious what's going on here. If you don't care for gay rights, fine, but let's at least be honest with each other.

[Purch]

Keep the politics out of my basketball

[Neutral 123]

no it should not and the new law isn't "anti-gay" either. just as stupid as when the nfl was talking about moving the superbowl because of legislation over illegal immigrants in arizona.

its so stupid. those who dont believe in the conspiracies should wake up and realize that the media is pushing these angles for a reason. using billion dollar business who are federally approved monopolies and use their popularity and media to push states and coerce states into doing what the big government statists and globalist want.

states rights used to be a good thing about America. not so much anymore. people complain about the government coercing and extorting citizens and think its "wrong" but dont see the same thing happening to states (have done the same thing with drinking laws, are doing it right now with obamacare and other things)

frankly its bs and unamerican. then again this board isnt the place to poll but i bet the majority of dissenters dont even understand what a "republic" like ours is supposed to be about in the first place.

There's so much wrong in this thread, but I'll start with this gem here. THIS is your issue with the media, globalists, big corporations? Really? Instead of people allowing these issues to act as wedges and dividing people, how about supporting laws and policies that stop the top down class warfare that has left worker wages stagnant for the last 4 decades, while the grip and power of corporations continue to rise? Nah, we'd rather complain about these people when they protest against a stupid law that was clearly meant to divide people.

Yeah, we can argue over this, allow these morons to antagonize gays, while we are all being robbed blind.

[MiltownHawkeye]

Is this a joke? What do gay rights have to do with basketball? There are far more important issues in the world than gay rights, should we cancel every event because some people get offended?

You're right, we should hold off on fighting for important causes if there's a more important cause out there. Basically, everyone should sit around doing nothing about anything until we come up with a solution to world poverty and hunger, or the degradation of the O-Zone layer.

Its getting out of control the way the homosexual life style is being advertised and you're demonized if you don't agree with it.

Sounds good to me.

[Neutral 123]

Barkley is a scumbag and while his message is correct, he's about as useful as David Duke being a leading voice on this issue. Amazing that someone with views as disgusting on race, as his, is so liberal minded on this issue. As for moving the Final Four, no, the Final Four belongs in Indiana. This law is being used to exploit, just as the NCAA exploits its players. A bunch of egregious scumbags all around.

[tidho]

I'm a fan of freedom, and believe businesses should have the right to not make a cake for gay wedding if they don't want to. The public certainly has he right not to buy cakes from that business if they so choose.

....so no, I believe its absurd to think the NCAA should breach contracts with all parties involved with the final 4. Which if you think about it, sounds a lot like not serving a basketball market because you don't agree with their political views on social issues.

[Neutral 123]

I'm a fan of freedom, and believe businesses should have the right to not make a cake for gay wedding if they don't want to. The public certainly has he right not to buy cakes from that business if they so choose.

....so no, I believe its absurd to think the NCAA should breach contracts with all parties involved with the final 4. Which if you think about it, sounds a lot like not serving a basketball market because you don't agree with their political views on social issues.

No, the boycott would be because they don't agree with discrimination. Boycotting is a common response to entities who commit crimes against humanity.

[fast-break]

To put it simply, nope.

[Darko Miliminutes]

Is this a joke? What do gay rights have to do with basketball? There are far more important issues in the world than gay rights, should we cancel every event because some people get offended? Gay people should have the same right as everyone else, not more. Its getting out of control the way the homosexual life style is being advertised and you're demonized if you don't agree with it. I personally don't care either way, but this is getting ridiculous.

+2