Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal made it clear today that he is against same-sex marriage in an op-ed published by the New York Times. Jindal also expressed disappointment in Arkansas and Indiana lawmakers for backing down on their Religious Freedom Restoration Acts.
In the op-ed, titled “I’m Holding Firm Against Gay Marriage,” Jindal wrote that it was “disappointing to see conservative leaders so hastily retreat on legislation that would simply allow for an individual or business to claim a right to free exercise of religion in a court of law.”
Jindal said that the laws only made it possible for individuals and businesses to cite religious beliefs in court as a reason for not wanting to participated in a same-sex ceremony that would violate their own beliefs. Louisiana already passed their own RFRA in 2010.
Indiana and Arkansas ultimately made changes to their RFRAs after critics said that Indiana’s act would allow businesses to deny service to gays and lesbians.
Jindal also said that he plans on “fighting” for the passage of his state’s Marriage and Conscience Act. This would keep the state from denying anyone a license, accreditation, employment or contract based on religious views about marriage. The Republican governor insisted that the bill does not “create a right to discriminate against, or generally refuse service to, gay men or lesbians” and “does not change anything as it relates to the law in terms of discrimination suits between private parties.”
Also in the op-ed, Jindal made it clear that he will not change his beliefs on same-sex marriage, even as that opinion becomes the minority one.
“I hold the view that has been the consensus in our country for over two centuries: that marriage is between one man and one woman,” Jindal said. “Polls indicate that the American consensus is changing — but like many other believers, I will not change my faith-driven view on this matter, even if it becomes a minority opinion.”
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