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Time to #BoycottIndiana? Celebs Blow Up Social Media

Time to #BoycottIndiana? Celebs Blow Up Social Media

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Everyone from Tim Cook, to Ashton Kutcher, Miley Cyrus, Dustin Lance Black, and even Hillary Clinton, had something to say about Indiana's new 'license to discriminate' law.

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From the moment after Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed Senate Bill 101 -- the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act -- during a private ceremony Thursday morning, LGBT people and our allies began blasting the new law, which allows businesses or individuals to deny service to anyone who allegedly offends their religious beliefs.

Out actor George Takei -- who had condemned the bill before the governor signed it into law -- was one of the first, calling for a boycott of Indiana with the hashtag #BoycottIndiana:

The hashtag quickly picked up steam on Twitter and social media, with a variety of celebrities amplifying the call for a statewide boycott. At press time, the hashtag was trending on Twitter at the number 3 spot. Meanwhile, a petition at MoveOn.org demanding a recall election for Gov. Pence has more than 72,000 signatures at press time.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, the only out LGBT CEO of any Fortune 500 company, said he and his team were "deeply disappointed" in Indiana's new law, and called on lawmakers in Cook's home state of Arkansas to reject a similar bill currently making its way through the legislature there:

Gay author, father, and founder of the It Gets Better Project, Dan Savage, joined the conversation in typically uncensored style:

Legendary gay rights activist Cleve Jones joined the call for a boycott, pointing to his family's "deep roots" in Indiana:

Betty Bowers, a YouTube personality who satirically claims to be "America's Best Christian," had more than a few words -- and images -- to illustrate her call for a boycott:

But this might be our favorite meme about the law's not-so-subtle intentions:

Out tennis star and newlywed Martina Navratilova also pointed to the lopsided nature of the legislation:

Actor Ashton Kutcher weighed in about the possible unforeseen consequences of the law, which does not specifically mention LGBT people, but allows individuals and businesses to refuse to serve anyone if they claim doing so would "substantially burden" their free exercise of religion:

Comedienne and LGBT ally Kathy Griffin highlighted the anti-business implications of the law by linking to an open letter from Jeremy Stoppelman, the CEO of Yelp to other states considering similar laws:

Other prominent LGBT people and allies stopped short of calling for a boycott, while still making their feelings about Indiana's new "right to discriminate" law quite clear. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who famously told the United Nations that "gay rights are human rights," expressed her disappointment in the new law:

Andy Cohen, the out host of Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, brought his own signature sarcasm to the news of Indiana's now-legal discrimination:

Oscar-winning Milk screenwriter and LGBT advocate Dustin Lance Black slammed the governor, saying he was "not courageous."

Pop star and LGBT ally Miley Cyrus didn't mince words in a Thursday post on Instagram that featured a photo of Gov. Pence:

Broadway star Audra McDonald sounded off with an epic Twitter rant directed at the governor, noting that some members in her band are gay, and asking: "Should we call ahead to make sure the hotel accepts us all? Or could you maybe send us a list of where it's okay for us to go? Might the law apply to me? (I'm black). Or maybe I should fire my gay band members just to be on the safe side. Or MAYBE... We need to stick to singing in states that don't legislate hate?"

Legendary TV host Larry King called Indiana's new law "absurd and insulting."

Actor James Van Der Beek sent a series of tweets, tying his message to "Throwback Thursday" by sharing a photo he took four years ago for the NOH8 campaign:

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Sunnivie Brydum

Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.
Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.