From the White House to Hollywood, critics hit the streets and social media saying the law discriminates against gays and lesbians.

But Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says the purpose of the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act is to protect people of faith, not discriminate against gays and lesbians.

"The issue here is, you know, is tolerance a two-way street or not? You know, there's a lot of talk about tolerance today in this country having to do with people on the left," Pence noted.

"But here Indiana steps forward to protect the constitutional rights and privileges of freedom of religion for people of faith and families of faith in our state and this avalanche of intolerance that has been poured on our state is just outrageous," he said.

In fact, Pence and supporters of the Indiana law say it's similar to federal legislation signed by President Bill Clinton and laws approved by 19 other states, including Illinois where then state Sen. Barack Obama voted for it.

But White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Illinois bill Obama supported did not legitimize discrimination.

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