A Raisin In The Sun actress, Audra McDonald took to Twitter on Thursday to express her disgust over the new anti-gay bill Indiana governor Mike Pence, is putting into action. If you read McDonald’s tweets it is obvious that she is not of fan of the Governors new legislation.
Pence signed a bill called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act on Thursday. The new law will allow companies to claim religious freedom if they are ever sued by individuals. This bill basically means that companies are going to have the right to refuse service to anyone that is lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender. The companies also have the right under this law to refuse service to anyone that sincerely offends their religious beliefs. The scary part about this, is that people are going to allowed to randomly discriminate against people just because they are different.
McDonald was not the only celebrity who was outraged at Pence, and his complete disdain for religious and sexual freedom. According to Advocate , Star Trek star George Takai who is an openly gay man, called for a boycott of the NCAA Final Four game that will take place in Indianapolis next week.
Audra has pointed out in her tweets , the kind of discrimination her and her band may face when they travel to Indiana for her shows next month. McDonald says.
“Some in my band are gay & we have 2 gigs in your state next month. Should we call ahead to make sure the hotel accepts us all? Or could you maybe send us a list of where its okay for us to go? Might the law apply to me?(I’m black). Or MAYBE I donate the money I make in your state while Im there to organizations that will combat your hateful legislation.”
Instead of boycotting her upcoming performances like McDonald was originally planning to do, she has decided to donate all of the money she makes at the concerts to LGBT rights groups in Pence’s home state of Indiana.
McDonald is a six-time Tony Award winning actress , with a long history of roles in both on and off-Broadway productions, films, and television. Audra’s television career includes a regular spot on the ABC drama Private Practice , as Dr. Naomi Bennett.
As a long time LGBT activist this new bill doesn’t just offend McDonald on principle, she has a personal connection to some of the main people who will be singled out and targeted by Pence’s ridiculous new law.
[Photo courtesy of IMG]
