A significant new test of Indiana's treatment of the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community — coming on the heals of the state's new religious objections law — has put Gov. Mike Pence again in the middle of the controversy.
In April, Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and now he has sent a welcoming letter to visitors to Indianapolis of the Circle City IN Pride Festival. Unfortunately for Pence, his letter wasn't enough for critics, among them the state Democratic Party. And it was too much for a conservative organization, the American Family Association of Indiana, which said — according to an Associated Press report — that it is stunned that Pence was welcoming visitors to "this hedonistic festival."
Well, so much for Indiana trying to demonstrate a more welcoming attitude.
In fact, Pence's letter never referred specifically to the Pride Festival or the LGBT community and its festival that began Friday. He said in his letter that on behalf of the people of Indiana, welcome to Indianapolis. He called the state a "destination for conventions, festivals and other events.
"We hope you enjoy your stay," he concluded.
That wasn't enough for the Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody, who said Pence's generic-sounding letter fell "way short of showing true Hoosier Hospitality." He said Pence's letter is just another bland, ill-fated, and out of touch attempt at trying to restore his favorability after he nearly destroyed Indiana's reputation.
Another Pence critic, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, who announced this past week she would be a Democratic candidate for governor and a likely foe of Pence next year, sent a letter to event planners offering her full support for the Pride parade and festival.
"Whenever Hoosiers get a chance to demonstrate how open and welcoming we are, we shine," Ritz wrote in part. "I'm proud to participate in this year's festival and to support a continuing atmosphere that welcomes ALL to our great state. Let's hope the coming year is a full Equality year!"
An Indianapolis official, Mayor Greg Ballard, a Republican who has backed the LGBT community, will serve as grand marshal of the event's parade.
Pence created a stir over the religious objects law he signed in April; critics of the law claimed it would sanction discrimination against the LGBT community. Lawmakers eventually adjusted the law after some companies banned travel to Indiana and some conventions threatened to cancel events.
On the other hand, Micah Clark, executive director of the American Family Association, said he was stunned that Pence had written a letter welcoming the LGBT group.
Last year the event attracted some 96,000 people to Indianapolis. The question now is whether the event will draw anywhere near that number. Before the controversy, Indianapolis was clearly a welcoming community. We will know a lot more on whether the law has had an impact when the festival ends on June 13.