The Hachette Book Group and Penguin Random House have both issued statements commending Indiana legislators for revising the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a law which bars businesses from discriminating against gays. Both publishers operate large warehouses in the state.
In its statement, released this morning, PRH said: “We commend state lawmakers for amending the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Together we stand for diversity and equality in all our locations, and for freedom of expression in the books we publish, and we will continue to strongly oppose discrimination on any basis, including sexual orientation or gender identity.” PRH employs 1,200 in Crawfordsville, Bloomington and Indianapolis.
On Friday HBG issued a statement saying that “we are happy to see today that the Indiana legislature adopted an amendment specifically prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. We are grateful to colleagues and authors who have spoken up clearly about this important issue. : HBG employs 285 people in its Lebanon distribution center. Earlier, HBG had Group joined a statement from the Human Rights Campaign telling legislators in Indiana and throughout the country that we strongly oppose provisions in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that allow discrimination against any individual or group.
