Indiana Passes Law To Allow Restaurants To Refuse Gay Customers

Indiana Governor Mike Pence has signed a law that would give restaurants the right to refuse gay customers.

The new bill will permit restaurants to refuse LGBTI diners entry on the basis of 'religious freedom'.

"The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action," said Governor Pence, a possible 2016 presidential candidate.

Unsurprisingly, the controversial legislation was greeted with a strong social media backlash, with critics taking to Twitter to vent their outrage.

The new ruling extends to other businesses, especially relevant to outfits who don't want to offer services to same-sex weddings.

However exercising 'religious freedom' to deny service to people based on their sexuality could come at a cost to the hospitality industry in Indiana. A boycott proposed by opponents of the bill is already gaining momentum, with a number of companies and event organisers announcing their intention to avoid the state while the discriminatory legislation remains in place.

Watch this video to learn about a region eager to attract the LGBTI market:

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