Religion in the Closet: Why I am Boycotting the State of Indiana

In the wake of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signing into affect the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act, several American states, cities, and celebrities have announced their boycott’s of Indiana, hoping to prove to supporters of the law, which supports individual business being able to make choices based on their religious values, that they’re not having any of it.

Many critics of the legislation insist that this will open up the opportunity for businesses to discriminate against customers on the basis of their sexuality because of their religious morals, an opportunity which, Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana has already seized, according to the Daily Beast.

While it’s great to see people like Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D) establishing bans on state-funded travel to the state of Indiana and comedians like Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally cancelling their upcoming show dates in Indianapolis, the next step is for individual citizens to take a stand. That is why I am boycotting Indiana.

As a young closeted queer kid, I felt extremely uncomfortable whenever the subject of legislation on the basis of sexuality was broached. My best friend was openly gay and I took him to senior prom. This made one of my Dad’s co-worker’s very uncomfortable so the subject was dropped. We were on a family vacation with conservative friends when DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, was defeated but no one discussed this huge personal victory at dinner that night. Outside of my own family, I never felt supported enough to even realize I had other options

Now that I’ve come out, I am very vocal in my disgust for this piece of legislation but I feel for those closeted queer Indiana residents who are suffering quiet agony over what this law means for them. It could lead to no overall repercussions which could be even more damaging. 

Obviously this isn't something that just applies to one sect of people. My choice to focus on closeted young queers in this piece reflects personal struggles and does not mean I am negating the battles of those out warriors that are out there protesting right now for the freedoms of all of us.

We queer people and our straight allies need to stand for what is right and support our brothers and sisters feeling hurt by their state’s unfair actions. We should all be boycotting Indiana.

It seems like a no-brainer to me.