Individual Rights in Indiana

     Indiana's laws concerning LGBT "rights" are being reconsidered again.  The two sides are portrayed as religious liberty vs. gay rights.  However, this is in complete error.  While one does have the freedom of religion, the only rights that exist are individual rights and what belongs to that which each individual possesses.

Considering freedom of trade, such as the infamous wedding cake refusal in Indiana, in question are the property rights of each individual.  I argue that the owner of a private business has complete control over one's property.  This includes the rights to hire and fire at will.  In my view, discrimination--though perhaps sad at times--is an absolute right.  A businessman can: discriminately refuse to hire, fire anyone for any reason, and (if one so chooses) fire anyone for no reason at all with complete legality.

While many business owners may choose to exclude dealing with gays, in Indiana, the leadership of Eli Lilly & Co. is LGBT friendly.  Lilly was in fact one of the major players in persuading the state to overturn the original RFRA that politically curtailed elements of the gay agenda.

On whichever side one finds oneself, on the issue, property rights apply to each individual no matter what the neighbors choose to do with their business.  If one is unhappy with the current situation, one does have the opportunity to try to open one's own business and conduct its trade, or lack thereof, with whomever one is willing to offer or deny services to.

Paul Wharton
Special thanks to Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY)