Lanane, Senate Dems outline path forward on LGBT protections

INDIANAPOLIS – On Tuesday, Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) detailed a path forward on outlawing discrimination in the Hoosier state. In a press conference, Lanane laid out legislative language that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to Indiana’s Civil Rights statutes, a step he believed was reflective of Hoosiers’ commonsense mentality.

“There’s no room for shortcuts or half measures, all Hoosiers deserve equal protection under the law,” said Lanane. “LGBT Hoosiers can be married legally over the weekend and be fired for it Monday. That simply does not represent who we are as Hoosiers, or as human beings.”

Lanane noted the bill he and the Senate Democratic Caucus have drafted guarantees protections in the simplest, strongest fashion possible. Lanane emphasized a need to shift the conversation on amending Indiana’s Civil Rights statues from behind closed doors and into the public dialogue, and plans to file the legislation immediately. Lanane also penned a letter to Senate President Pro-Tempore David Long urging his support of the bill.

“Hoosiers expect nothing less than equal protection under the law for LGBT Hoosiers and that’s what we’ve drafted,” said Lanane. “While others are keeping conversations behind closed doors, we’re ready to move this forward.”

Lanane will file the preliminary draft and intends to offer the bill during the 2016 legislative session. Bill filing officially begins October 19 with the first day of the 2016 legislative session arriving January 5.