
WALKERTON, Indiana. – Hundreds of LGBT pizza-loving protesters picketed a small-town pizza shop in Walkerton, Indiana today after its owners announced they will refuse to sell pizza to same-sex couples.
The shop announced their new business policy shortly after Governor Mike Pence signed the state legislation, a.k.a. Religious Freedom Restoration Act, giving businesses the right to refuse services to gay men and women on the basis of religious belief.
The O’Connor family, who owns Memories Pizza, says they have a right to believe in their religion and protect those ideals. “If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding, we would have to say no,” says Crystal O’Connor. She says that because she’s a Christian, she and her family don’t support gay marriage and that is their right. The O’Connors say they just don’t agree with gay marriages and wouldn’t cater them if asked to.
The protestors urged the Indiana State Legislature to repeal the discriminatory new law, while urging the U.S. Congress to pass legislation to protect the sanctity of pizza. “Congress needs to pass a Defense of Pizza Act (DOPA) immediately,” the protesters said.