Fishers business owner hopes city acts on LGBT rights
FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) – After Indiana lawmakers killed an anti-discrimination bill, some business owners in Fishers hope local leaders will send a message.
One of those being CloudOne. CEO John McDonald wanted to be part of the technology movement in the city, but said the state’s religious freedom debate is hurting that goal.
“Sure as I’m standing here, the one that can kill that though is our inability to find people and retain people that can feed that,” McDonald said.
And after a state bill aimed at protecting the rights of lesbian, gay and bi-sexual Hoosiers died Tuesday, McDonald is afraid it might get worse.
“Where is the courage,” asked McDonald. “Where is leadership? Incredibly disappointed.”
In Fishers, Mayor Scott Fadness told 24-Hour News 8 this summer he wanted to take action, but decided to wait, and get state clarity.
Taking action at the local level is something that can happen. In Carmel late last year, the city council passed an anti-discrimination ordinance, which is why some business owners in Fishers hope city leaders can take a similar approach.
“We have an opportunity to do that now in Fishers,” said McDonald. “Although I do think waiting was the right approach, but now is a chance for us to say the same message as well.”
The city spokesperson said Wednesday, they have been watching the LGBT debate closely at the statehouse. They’re now evaluating what will be the next step.
But to some owners, they hope it’s a stance to give LGBT protections. “Let’s continue to make sure that we don’t let the winds of what happens in wider state of Indiana blow out the flame that we’ve been building here in Fishers around technology and around companies,” McDonald said.
It’s not just CloudOne calling for change.
OneZone, which serves as the chamber of both Fishers and Carmel sent 24-Hour News 8 a statement.
“OneZone is one of the hundreds of businesses and business organizations that support Indiana Competes, since we believe that discrimination is detrimental to business and negatively affects our ability to compete for the best and the brightest employees, as well as our ability to attract and retain businesses. Consequently, we were disappointed that no action was taken this year.”