Don't let Illinois repeat Indiana's mistake

The state of Indiana has taken a leap backward in the name of religious freedom. The governor has just signed into law a bill allowing businesses to decline service to LGBT customers.

For a member from a party that berates President Obama for hindering our freedoms to sign such a law seems a particularly hypocritical move.

The last time a minority group was declined service in private establishments was the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. A long battle ensued, wasting time and resources on something guaranteed to all in our Constitution.

While we have not completely resolved race issues in this country, the outcome was a major step toward equality. The same can be expected in this instance. For a party that is trying to figure out where its votes will come from in the next election, this move seems a large gaffe.

Clearly, younger voters are more open, in general, to LGBT issues. However, an MSNBC article written by Steve Benen notes that Paul Waldman sees this "right-to-discriminate" bill as a new "litmus test" for other members of the Republican party, notably Ted Cruz, Bobby Jindal, and Mike Huckabee.

While this stands as pure speculation at this point, members of the party have acted similarly in the past. If Republicans do back Indiana, a large amount of votes will be lost.

Fortunately in the state of Illinois, no such measure seems likely. However, this may become a major issue in the national elections. I implore you, do not allow our government to permit this disturbing form of discrimination.

Look to our recent past, remember the struggle for civil rights, and ask yourself if repeating such a dark time in history is easier to tolerate than a brief period of discomfort for a small percentage of our population.

Robert Jordan DuPont

Mundelein