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Gusciora Calls on Christie to Join Growing List of Public Officials to Ban Government-Funded Travel to Indiana

Lawmaker Applauds Governor for Remaining Silent on the Issue While Other Republicans Praise the Discriminatory Law

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) on Thursday called on Gov. Chris Christie to join the growing list of public officials throughout the country who have banned government-funded travel to Indiana in light of the state’s new discriminatory “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

In doing so, Gusciora, the first openly gay member of the New Jersey legislature, sent a letter to Christie requesting that he add “New Jersey to the growing list of proud supporters of equality by issuing an Executive Order banning any government-funded travel to Indiana until the state shores up protections for the LGBT community.”

At the same time, Gusciora also applauded Christie for his silence on the issuewhile other Republicans across the country offered up their support for the legislation.

“On the other hand, I applaud Gov. Christie for his silence on this issue. By not offering up effusive praise for this discriminatory law he appears quite progressive in comparison to a number of his Republican cohorts. I’d like to believe his silence demonstrates a sincere belief that all people should be treated with respect and dignity, including gays and lesbians,” said Gusciora.

Gusciora noted that the governors of Connecticut, New York and Washington, as well as the mayors of New York City, San Francisco and Seattle, are among those who have issued similar travel bans so far.

A full copy of Gusciora’s letter can be viewed here.