
Keith Olbermann (screen grab)
ESPN's Keith Olbermann has called on the National College Athletic Association and National Football League to boycott Indiana until the state repeals a new law that protects businesses that refuse to provide services to same-sex couples.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act on Thursday, saying in a statement that "many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action."
But critics say the new law undermines local ordinances that prohibit discrimination against customers based on their sexual orientation. Olbermann is among them:
Simple fact: after Indiana enacts a law permitting prejudice against some of its customers, NCAA should pull Final 4 out of Indy. Right now— Keith Olbermann (@Keith Olbermann)1427394151.0
I don't care if Final 4 winds up being played in a parking lot in Tulsa, NCAA has no right to support legally codified hatred and stupidity— Keith Olbermann (@Keith Olbermann)1427394248.0
If a state wants to pretend this is 1955 and not 2015, dandy. You want to make some customers "illegal"? Prepare to be left behind.— Keith Olbermann (@Keith Olbermann)1427394335.0
And for that matter the NFL should play no games in Indiana until and unless this hateful, medieval measure is repealed.— Keith Olbermann (@Keith Olbermann)1427394390.0
And if you fall back on the discredited "orientation is a choice," ask yourself: what is religion if not a choice? Or passing hate laws?— Keith Olbermann (@Keith Olbermann)1427395295.0