Freedom Indiana Adds More Companies
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMore than one dozen additional Indiana employers have joined a coalition opposing a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would further define marriage. Freedom Indiana says the new members include Indianapolis-based Angie's List Inc. (Nasdaq: ANGI) and Dow AgroSciences LLC.
February 6, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Freedom Indiana today added 13 job creators to its “Employers for Freedom” coalition, a statewide group opposed to HJR-3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would duplicate the definition of marriage and could permanently prohibit legal protections for same-sex and unmarried couples and families.
Indiana House lawmakers recently removed a divisive, ambiguous sentence from the amendment before sending it to the Indiana Senate, where a committee will consider it on Monday. If the Senate approves the amended version, the issue would not be placed on the 2014 ballot.
“The addition of these job creators to our Employers for Freedom coalition signals continued opposition to this harmful amendment,” said Freedom Indiana campaign manager Megan Robertson. “Companies large and small are voicing their opposition to HJR-3 because it will make it more difficult to recruit top talent to our state, and a divisive statewide ballot initiative would hurt our reputation nationally.”
Earlier this week, Illinois economic development officials made it clear they intend to use Indiana's proposed constitutional same-sex marriage ban to recruit businesses to that state, where lawmakers recently legalized same-sex marriage.
“Many of our neighboring states are talking about or moving one way, and Indiana is contemplating going the opposite direction. That puts us at a clear economic disadvantage,” Robertson said.
Today's coalition expansion includes Angie's List, DowAgrosciences, Independent Adoption Center, EnviroForensics, Ayokay, Smash Agency, First State Bank of Porter, Borshoff, Pyromation, TrendyMinds, Alcoa, Katz & Korin and the National Bank of Indianapolis.
Visit freedomindiana.org/employershttp://freedomindiana.org/employers to learn more about these and other coalition members. Employers interested in becoming part of the coalition are encouraged to sign up online at freedomindiana.org/joinemployers
NEW EMPLOYERS FOR FREEDOM
ANGIE'S LIST, INDIANAPOLIS
“The Angie's List’s Board of Directors unanimously opposes Indiana’s House Joint Resolution No. 3. At Angie's List we are proud of our Indiana heritage and our Hoosier individuality, common sense and compassion. We work every day to recruit talented people from around the world to come and be a part of our company and this great state. The amendment will make that job harder.”
DOWAGROSCIENCES LLC, INDIANAPOLIS
“Dow AgroSciences opposes HJR-3. We believe it will hinder efforts to recruit both U.S.-based and global talent to our growing Indiana operations. In addition, we believe it will harm Indiana’s world-class life sciences industry when it is best positioned to drive additional economic value to the state.”
INDEPENDENT ADOPTION CENTER, INDIANAPOLIS
“As an organization dedicated to ensuring every child grows up feeling loved and supported, we pay close attention to the research on LGBT marriage and families. Every major peer-reviewed study shows that these families raise well adjusted children. HJR-3 would be bad for children in need of families, and bad for businesses in need of talent. Independent Adoption Center stands in opposition to HJR-3.”
ENVIROFORENSICS, INDIANAPOLIS
“EnviroForensics identifies itself as being made up of some of the finest environmental scientists and engineers that investigate and remediate the most problematic environmental contamination in soil, groundwater and vapor phase media. In order to recruit that kind of talent, we need Indiana to be the most welcoming environment possible in a very competitive recruiting field. HJR 3 decreases EnviroForensics ability to recruit top talent. For that reason, EnviroForensics opposes HJR 3.”
AYOKAY, INDIANAPOLIS
“Ayokay is an Indianapolis-based E-Commerce, Web and Marketing company that values freedom and liberty for all. We enjoy working for and with organizations that further those values, and strive to be a positive influence in the community. Indiana is known for its hospitality, its striving tech and music scenes, and its affordability — all qualities which attract great talent and businesses. As home to several of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., we can't afford to scare off potential talent and business by imposing such negative, divisive laws. We should instead send a message of love and inclusiveness by rejecting HJR-3.”
SMASH AGENCY, VALPARAISO
“Smash Agency is dedicated to a diverse work force, including gays and lesbians, which is absolutely critical to our expansion here in Indiana. We were founded in Valparaiso, Indiana and while we work toward expansion globally, we intend to keep our base here. It is our home after all. Smash’s target market ranges from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies and in serving those companies, we try hard to meet their standards of inclusion and diversity, even being ahead of the curve. Smash must retain quality, hard-working people of integrity and HJR-3 would prevent us from doing so. It would prevent us from retaining some of our best talent and may hinder recruiting in the future. If HJR-3 passes, it would label Indiana as an intolerant community that is far-behind the rest of the world in equality. Who would want to live and work in a place like that? For these reasons, and many others, we urge a NO vote on HJR-3.”
FIRST STATE BANK OF PORTER, PORTER
“In addition to being able to attract the most talented employees we must charge our Indiana legislators with the responsibility of representing all resident constituents, without prejudice or bigotry.”
BORSHOFF, INDIANAPOLIS
“Borshoff welcomes employees, clients, partners and vendors of diverse backgrounds. Our advertising and public relations agency – and our community and entire state – are stronger when we respect and honor all individuals. We therefore oppose the House Joint Resolution 3 (HJR-3), which denies individual rights and liberties. Further, it is redundant as we (unfortunately) already have a law making same-sex marriage illegal. And it is damaging to our economy, as it positions Indiana as intolerant and discourages talented individuals and families from living and working here. It is wrong. We take this position on behalf of our many employees, clients, daughters and sons, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. We take this position for a better Indiana for all of us.”
PYROMATION, FORT WAYNE
“Attracting and retaining talent are the keys to our success as well as the keys to Indiana’s economic success. HJR-3 and the movement to deny civil rights cast a negative image on the State of Indiana with a message to some current and future employees that they are not welcome in the State of Indiana nor will they be treated equally.”
TRENDYMINDS, INDIANAPOLIS
“TrendyMinds believes that, aside from hurting our local economy, HJR-3 damages the very fabric of our communities. As a company, we rely daily upon the diversity of our employees to cultivate work that helps Indiana companies and purpose-driven organizations thrive. It is our sincere hope that the typically great state of Indiana reinforces its commitment to its Midwestern values of love, respect and inclusion. Indiana has prospered and grown in recent years due to the collective efforts of its vibrant and diverse citizenry. It is vital that our state acknowledges the humanity and equality of all its citizens, regardless of orientation or family structure. We urge other companies, civic organizations and individuals to publicly express their opposition to HJR-3.”
Freedom Indiana is a bipartisan statew