Out CNN anchor Don Lemon on Tuesday
criticized an Indiana bill that supporters say protects religious
freedom but critics argue targets the LGBT community.
In a segment titled Don's Take, Lemon
took a stand against the law that opponents say will open the door to
discrimination against gay men and lesbians.
“Let's be honest, to say that this
law is not discriminatory is disingenuous at the very least,” Lemon
told his viewers. “The law doesn't protect religious freedom, it
allows someone the ability to impose their religious views onto
someone else.”
After facing a week of intense
criticism, Republican Indiana Governor Mike Pence retreated and asked
lawmakers to “fix” the bill he signed. However, Pence repeated
that he's opposed to adding sexual orientation and gender identity to
the list of protected classes in the state's civil rights laws.
(Related: Mike
Pence calls for “fix” to “religious freedom” bill; Remains
opposed to LGBT protections.)
“It should be make clear that
Indiana, the Indiana House, had the opportunity to include language
that implicitly barred discrimination against the LGBT community,”
Lemon
said. “Democrats say they proposed it and they say the
Republicans declined. And now here we are.”
“The state stands to lose millions,”
he added, a reference to the business community's opposition to the
bill.
(Related: Marriott
CEO Arne Sorenson calls “religious freedom” bills “madness.”)