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Local Reaction to Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Reaction continues to the Indiana law which prohibits state laws that ``substantially burden'' a person's ability to follow his or her religious beliefs.

This as Indiana's governor is calling for legislation on his desk this week that will clarify that the new law does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Executive Director of the Gay Alliance, Scott Fearing, says there are similar measures in other states, but experts consider this law to be the most dangerous for the LGBT community.

"They're trying to put into place a law that will allow discrimination and bias to play out in workplaces, churches, and other services around the state, and that's never a good thing." Fearing says.

Fearing adds the law has garnered plenty of opposition, an not only from the LGBT community.

President of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, the Rev. Marvin McMickle, says individuals can't conveniently use the apparatus of government to uphold a narrow religious conviction. 

He adds he has no sympathy for the state of Indiana because this has been a "self-inflicted wound."

Indiana's governor has said there has been a "perception problem" over the law, but has defended it as a vehicle to protect religious liberty.         

On Tuesday, both Governor Cuomo and Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren issued orders banning state or city funded travel to Indiana. Cuomo said that "New York State has been, and will continue to be a leader in ensuring that all LGBT persons enjoy full and equal civil rights. " 

Mayor Lovely Warren issued an order banning city-funded travel for city workers to states that have enacted religious freedom laws that do no specifically prohibit discrimination against citizens, under categories such as sexual orientation, race or gender.

City Council President Loretta Scott says she will enact a similar ban for council staff.