Yesterday, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a “religious freedom” law that would give businesses the right to refuse service to gay and lesbian customers. Today, Twitter is exploding in protest under the #BoycottIndiana hashtag, thanks to Star Trek‘s awesome George Takei (who is in Seattle tonight at EMP!).
Takei went online yesterday, as reported here by Time, asking people to show their support by using the hashtag. The response has been massive.
Yesterday, we reported how others in the tech and gaming community have stepped up to protest the new law, including Gen Con and Salesforce. Gen Con drafted another letter to Pence yesterday in response to the law. And while they have a contract to hold the event in Indianapolis until 2020, CEO/owner Adrian Swartout writes that “discussions…have begun” about the possibility of moving it elsewhere.
Below, Takei’s tweet and a few of the responses.
Outraged over Indiana Freedom to Discriminate law, signed today. LGBTs aren't 2nd class citizens. #BoycottIndiana #Pence
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 26, 2015
Indiana? Seriously? Really? Bravo Salesforce for taking a stand. @benioff Hope more companies follow.http://t.co/g8K9DNZjps
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) March 27, 2015
Since I live here, I'll look for this sign where I shop. If I don't see it, I'll shop elsewhere. #boycottindiana pic.twitter.com/37EpG8I4ia
— Saundra Mitchell?️? (@SaundraMitchell) March 27, 2015
Just wanted share how proud I am of @CQevansville of Evansville for putting this up in their store. #BoycottIndiana pic.twitter.com/VXx4DRzRtX
— Matt Alley (@mattalley413) March 27, 2015
I'd be proud to work for @salesforce right now – great to see CEOs standing up and doing what's right http://t.co/EsBJwC5s00 #BoycottIndiana
— Bennett Golder (@btgolder) March 27, 2015