Connecticut becomes first state to boycott Indiana over anti-LGBT law

"When new laws turn back the clock on progress, we can’t sit idly by," Gov. Dan Malloy said

Published March 30, 2015 4:58PM (EDT)

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy      (AP/Jessica Hill)
Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy (AP/Jessica Hill)

Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy announced on Monday plans to sign an executive order barring state-funded travel to Indiana, as a direct response to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's quiet enactment of an LGBT discrimination law last week. Malloy's move will make Connecticut the first state to officially boycott Indiana over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which could allow business owners to refuse service to LGBT customers in the name of "religious freedom."

"Because of Indiana's new law, later today I will sign an Executive Order regarding state-funded travel," Malloy announced on Twitter. "When new laws turn back the clock on progress, we can’t sit idly by. We are sending a message that discrimination won’t be tolerated."

San Francisco and Seattle have similarly prohibited city-funded travel to Indiana because of the new law, and have been joined by several businesses in withdrawing from the state. Over the weekend, Angie's List halted a campus expansion project in Indianapolis in response to the measure, and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff -- who called the law an "outrage" -- announced that the company will "dramatically reduce" its investments in Indiana. Other power players, such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, have also condemned the measure.


By Jenny Kutner

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