Denver Mayor Michael Hancock speaks to supporters during his February 2015 re-election campaign kickoff with his wife, Mary Louise Lee. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Tuesday joined the chorus of cities and states that have banned government-funded travel to Indiana over its new Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In Denver’s case, the prohibition applies to “non-essential” travel by city employees on official business, which could include trips to conventions in Indianapolis.
Indiana’s new law, signed by Gov. Mike Pence last week, who say that in adding legal protections for people and businesses to act based on their religious beliefs, it could condone discrimination against gays and lesbians. Hancock says the city “will not tacitly condone discrimination through the use of taxpayer dollars.”
Pence and legislative backers of the law deny that is the law’s aim, and .
Here is the news release issued by the Denver mayor’s office:
DENVER – Mayor Michael B. Hancock today announced a prohibition on the use of city funds for non-essential travel by all city employees on official business to the State of Indiana.
“Denver is an inclusive city, and we take tremendous pride in that,” Mayor Hancock said. “Due to the actions taken by the State of Indiana, we will join with other cities across the nation in suspending the use of city funds for official business to Indiana. This law is just wrong, plain and simple, and we will not tacitly condone discrimination through the use of taxpayer dollars.
“I stand with my friend Mayor Ballard of Indianapolis and all the business owners and residents of Indiana who are fighting for equality. Together, we call on Gov. Pence and the Indiana General Assembly to repeal this discriminatory act. We have come far as a nation in extending liberty and justice for all, but this law threatens to undermine that progress with unnecessary and unwarranted divisiveness.
“Should the state of Indiana persist down the path of discrimination, we would like the Indiana businesses to know that they are welcome here in Denver, Colorado, and embraced by our forward thinking community and workforce.”
