Nick Offerman Explains How Leslie & Ron Would Have Reacted To Indiana’s Anti-Gay Law

A controversial law in America made headlines this week, as the state of Indiana passed their new Religious Freedom Restoration Act, drawing widespread condemnation for policy that moves zero steps forward, and thousands of steps back. In a nutshell, critics have taken umbrage with the law which permits “free exercise” of private companies and businesses to deny goods and/or services to the LGBTQI community. 

A pizza restaurant in Indiana fell into the crux of the debate over the law, as Memories Pizza backed the law, saying they “would have to say no” if they were approached by a gay couple to cater their wedding. Following the criticism of the pizzeria’s stance, a crowdfunding page for the restaurant and for those backing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was established, drawing around $500 000 in support.

The law and its repercussions is dangerous territory to navigate, and heat from both sides is reaching boiling point. Here to set things straight is Nick Offerman, who read aloud a statement by Parks and Recreation creator Mike Schur, on how he imagined Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson—Pawnee, Indiana locals—would react to the law if it were introduced into their world. 

Shur-via-Offerman maintains both Leslie and Ron would be keen opposers to the law, in a statement that makes Parks and Recreation’s absence all the more heavy. “She [Leslie] would have told you to get over it for Christ sake, who you love is who you love, it’s 2015. She would have asked for people to recognize that every American citizen deserves respect,” the statement says Knope’s strong opposition to the law would have boiled down to. Offerman read the statement at a show he staged for charity, after cancelling a previous show in protest of the bill. Preach:

“I read one article that said confidently that both Leslie and Ron would have found things to like about the bill. To quote George F. Will, “This is nonsense on stilts.” Leslie Knope would have seen this bill for what it is, a carefully worded expertly constructed document that reminds gay, lesbian, and transgendered people that they are second class citizens. 

Leslie would have reminded us that recently as the late 1960s certain businesses tried sh*t like this, only they said God wanted only white people to eat in their restaurant. And she would have further reminded us that the Supreme Court had a good long laugh and told them to scram. Leslie would have said that while religious freedom is a basic and fundamental right, it is not more basic or more fundamental than the words “All men are created equal,” even though she would have then gone on a long rant about the use of the word men instead [unintelligible due to clapping]. And she might have also pointed out that religious freedom from government oppression is not the same thing as telling a gay couple you won’t bake them a cake to help them celebrate their desire to formalize their romantic love just because you get skeeved out by two dudes kissing. Then she would have told you to get over it for Christ sake, who you love is who you love, it’s 2015. She would have asked for people to recognize that every American citizen deserves respect. And that every citizen has to make small compromises in order to make room for everyone else. 

And finally Leslie would have asked that instead of passing bills that cloak basic intolerance in that nice sounding, but ultimately deceptive idea of religious freedom, maybe we should focus on passing laws that actually help people who, you know, have no food or jobs or something. Leslie would also be annoyed at herself for this final ad hominem attack on the bill we’re discussing, but she tended to get a little riled up and sometimes forgot her old debate club teachings. 

As for Ron, he would have hated the bill because it was a bill made by the government.”

The speech may well have inspired Zach Braff and ‘Scrubs’ co-star Donald Faison to also jump on board, as the pair threw their support behind those affected by the law, announcing on Twitter that they would make pizza for any gay couples in Indiana wanting to serve the world’s greatest food at their wedding. Bless.