Petition circulates through drum corps community as Indiana enacts Religious Freedom Act
Posted Mar 30, 2015 12:24:52 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Supporters of the new Religious Freedom Act in Indiana say it will allow businesses to refuse service to someone if it violates their religious values.
But, many fear it will simply allow businesses to broadcast their discrimination against gays and lesbians by being able to refuse service and citing religion as their reason. .
There have been a number of protests and people speaking out against the controversial new law, including many from the drum and bugle corps community close to home who have signed a petition.
At last check the petition had more than 7,000 signatures and was still growing.
It’s calling on Drum Corps International to move their headquarters and cease holding their championships in Indiana.
Many of the members who compete in that state are Canadian; some from right here in Waterloo Region.
Among them, Rick Petherick who tells 570 News it’s times like these that cement how proud he is to be Canadian. He tells us why he signed the petition.
“I fought as a young gay man for the rights of the future generations so they don’t have to go through what we went through and it was tough. I always had my back covered, constantly looking over my shoulder and it’s no way to live.”
It’s not known yet how DCI will respond to the petition itself although they have responded to the Religious Freedom Act, stating that they remain committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for every one of the thousands of participants, volunteers, staff members and fans.
DCI’s full statement can be found on their website.
