Mayor Hales Bans City-Funded Travel to Indiana in Light of New LGBT Law

Monday, March 30, 2015

GoLocalPDX News Team

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales will issue an order today to temporarily suspend any further city-funded travel to Indiana, in light of the passage of a new Indiana law that discriminates against LGBT residents.

The Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) was signed into law by Governor Mike Pence last week.

"Gov. Mike Pence an the Indiana Legislature have to understand that such blatant discrimination against their own citizens cannot stand. We, as a country, have moved so far from those shameful practices of the past," Hales said. "It is regrettable that the great city of Indianapolis, led by its very effective mayor, Greg Ballard, is being dragged down by the reactionary efforts of the State Legislature and the governor."

On Wednesday, Portland City Council will consider a resolution that supports Hale's decision. The resolution also asks civic and business leaders throughout Portland to halt any travel to Indiana as well.

The city of Indiana already protects the rights of its LGBT residents, according to the mayor's office.

"Indiana isn't the first state to adopt this backward, discriminatory policy, but most states have sexual-orientation language in their civil rights statutes to protect LGBT residents," Hales said. "Indiana doesn't offer these same protections. All states have to realize that government-sponsored discrimination against LGBT residents in the United States of America has to stop."

Related Slideshow: What Portland Can Learn from Ferguson

Recent developments in Ferguson, Mo., where a white police officer was not indicted for shooting an unarmed black teen, have brought to light issues that provide a case in point for Portland, according to leaders in the city’s African American community.

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Charles McGee

President, Black Parent Initiative

Lesson #1: Address Systemic Racism

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“We still have glaring inequities in Portland and need to mobilize as a community,” said McGee.

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David Walker

Writer, Filmmaker

Lesson #1: Address Systemic Racism

Walker argues the overarching issue is that law enforcement and officials in Ferguson, as in Portland, are unaware of the biases already ingrained in society.

“When you’re blinded by ignorance and racism, that’s a huge problem. Some people spend their lives thinking nothing is wrong,” Walker said.

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Lew Frederick

Representative, House District 43

Lesson #2: The Importance of Voting

Frederick points to voting as a way for Ferguson, and Portland, to move forward from issues of race inequality.

“It will be a matter for people to get out to vote,” Frederick said.

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Cameron Whitten

President, Know Your City

Lesson #3: Admit the Police System is Broken

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