( CNN ) It was nothing if not predictable . Take combustible issues like religion and sexuality , stir in a new law and talk of a boycott , then -- boom ! -- the debate on social media explodes . And so it has proved with Indiana 's new `` religious freedom '' law , signed Thursday by Gov . Mike Pence . The new law could allow businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers if serving them would contravene the business owner 's religious beliefs . Supporters of the bill say it protects their right to believe as they choose . Opponents say it is nothing but bigotry dressed up as liberty . The debate is nothing if not vitriolic . And colorful , too . `` Libs SHUTUP , '' reads one tweet , which goes on to assert that Indiana 's `` Relgious Freedom Restauration Act ( sic ) '' is modeled on federal legislation signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993 . People on the other side of the debate are equally emphatic -- and , it seems for the moment , more numerous . Some have likened the new law to permitting businesses to discriminate against black people , if perchance their religion dictated that . Others say that Indiana seems out of step with modern times . And then there is the business reaction -- both the nascent boycott from outside the state and the rush by some businesses inside the state to declare that , law or no law , they have no intention of turning anyone away . `` My team just canceled travel to IN due to the # ReligiousFreedomRestorationAct , '' tweeted a user under the name Mark C Somerville , who says he works for @ salesforce . `` We stand against discrimination . '' And a tweet from a the St. Elmo Steak House , a business in Indianapolis , the state 's capital and its largest city , pledged in capital letters to continue serving ALL . The word Freedom should only be used when it 's inclusive and fair for all . Supporters of the law , however , made it clear what they thought opponents should do with their proposed boycott . `` Before you go and get too self-righteous w/ your # BoycottIndiana , '' a user called Caleb Parke tweeted , `` @ GovPenceIN is protecting # religiousfreedom for EVERYONE ! # EqualRights . ''
Social media supporters of Indiana 's ` ` religious freedom '' bill says it protects their ability to hold their own beliefs . Opponents of the bill say its ` ` freedom '' is a cover for bigotry against women and minorities . Some retail businesses say that they will continue to serve all customers , regardless of orientation . Some businesses take to social media in attempt to organize boycott of Indiana .