A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I were discussing whatever the latest horrific discriminatory/misogynistic law was which had just been passed by some state legislature (I honestly don't recall which one; they've become too numerous to keep track of). I noted that it's really feeling like we've entered into a 2nd Civil War, except that this time it doesn't have any official geographic boundaries or true military action (militarization of police departments notwithstanding).
A couple of days ago, dKos writer StellaRay crystalized this reality with the diary "The American Civil War, 2015."
Indiana's new hate/bigotry law seems to have become the latest, and most in-your-face flashpoint of the new War...and while businesses, organizations and even whole cities have announced moves to pull out of the state in response, it appears that Connecticut has become the first state to formally respond in kind:
Connecticut To Become First State To Boycott Indiana Over LGBT Discrimination Law
WASHINGTON -- Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D) will sign an executive order on Monday barring state-funded travel to Indiana because of the state's new law that could allow businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers for religious reasons.
Malloy announced his plans on Twitter.
Malloy's move would make Connecticut the first state to boycott Indiana over its Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Gov. Mike Pence (R) quietly signed into law last week. The law allows businesses in the state to cite religious beliefs as a legal defense. Opponents fear it offers legal protection for businesses to refuse service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
I applaud Gov. Malloy for his move, of course, but it's also important to note just what has happened here.
I know similar protests took place in response to Arizona discrimination law a few years back, but did an actual state governor formally declare something like this? Is this a first, historically?
UPDATE: Well, now...Washington State just joined in as well:
UPDATE x2: Add New York to the list: