The city of Syracuse is taking a stand against Indiana’s controversial religious freedom law. Mayor Stephanie Miner says the city is banning any official travel by city employees to Indiana.
“I think it’s an important step particularly given our history of being an open and welcoming community, and saying that we value all people and the decisions that all people make.”
The mayor says occasionally city officials go to Indiana for conferences, and this new policy would mean those trips would not be reimbursed. Miner says city employees have traveled to Indiana for conferences in the past.
Miner believes the intent of the controversial religious freedom law is to discriminate against gays and lesbians.
“To use religious liberty to actually hide bigotry, is not something that we’re going to support,” said Miner.
Syracuse joins New York state, New York City and other states and localities across the country which have also announced bans of official travel to the Hoosier State.