Prominent gay conservative can comment on Indiana's religious freedom bill, effect on presidential race


LAWRENCE — Jimmy LaSalvia, Dole Institute of Politics Fellow at the University of Kansas, political strategist, commentator and author, is available to speak with media about Indiana’s recently passed Religious Freedom Restoration Act and its political implications.

Last week, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed the act, commonly referred to as a religious freedom bill, that allows businesses and others to refuse services to certain individuals based on religious beliefs.

LaSalvia, a prominent gay activist and conservative, says the new law will have a direct effect on the 2016 presidential campaign.

“I think it takes Mike Pence out of contention for president or vice president,” LaSalvia said. “Governor Pence’s actions and subsequent public statements have demonstrated that cultural evolution has moved past him and left him out of touch with real life in America today. That renders him an unacceptable choice for national office for most Americans.”

He can also discuss how Indiana’s law and Republican candidates that have expressed support for similar “religious freedom” bills will play out on the campaign trail.

LaSalvia leads the Spring 2015 Study Group "All Politics is Personal — A Gay Conservative Looks at the Culture Wars" at the Dole Institute of Politics at KU. The group examines a variety of cultural issues, including gay marriage, the war on women and the rise of MSNBC and Fox News from a nonpartisan perspective. In 2009 he founded GOProud to represent gay conservatives, which went on to become one of the most prominent gay political organizations in the country. He previously served on the national staff of the Log Cabin Republicans. He is also the author of the upcoming book “NO HOPE: Why I Left the GOP (and Why You Should Too),” scheduled for publication in September by Skyhorse Publishing.

To schedule an interview, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860 or mkrings@ku.edu.

Tue, 03/31/2015

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Mike Krings

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