LGBT advocates to use piecemeal approach to gain protections
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — LGBT advocates say they will continue with a piecemeal approach to bring civil protections to all Hoosiers.
This comes a day after Kokomo passed its own local one.
More than 20 towns and cities across Indiana have their own ordinances, and advocates say they’re not done yet.
“Discrimination is embarrassing and it shouldn’t be tolerated in our state,” said Peter Hanscom of Indiana Competes. He and Chris Paulsen of Freedom Indiana say the only way to ensure discrimination isn’t tolerated is to get it codified in state law.
“It’s very important to us. It’s something we’re not going to run away from,” Hanscom said.
Indiana Competes and Freedom Indiana said they will continue to help local city halls pass LGBT protections while they wait for lawmakers to act.
“It’s important that the local voices are heard, so you won’t see us out front, no. But we are available,” said Paulson, regarding their involvement in getting the ordinances passed.
On Monday, Kokomo became the latest city to pass its own legislation. According to Indiana Competes, 27 percent of Hoosiers live in cities with LGBT protections.
“This legislation has never been about politics or religion,” said Kokomo Councilman Steve Whikehart, who sponsored the legislation. “It’s always been about equality. It’s always been about protections. It’s always been about inclusiveness.
But even Kokomo residents there say they’d rather see statewide protections.
“Protect everybody,” said Bruce Blasius, a Kokomo LGBT activist. “Not just certain ones in certain cities.”
With more cities likely to follow, even Sen. David Long said statewide protections may be on the horizon.
“It won’t be long until well over half of Hoosiers are living under a LGB or LGBT ordinance. And so as that evolves I think it will be easier for the state to consider saying maybe just one law makes sense rather than 50 different ones,” said Senator Long.
Indiana Competes and Freedom Indiana say they’ve already been approached by other towns about how to pass legislation, but they wouldn’t elaborate on specific details of the conversations.
Indianapolis passed its own ordinance 10 years ago.