Republicans in the Indiana State Senate introduced a bill that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to state civil rights protections on Nov. 18, reports News and Tribune.
The bill also contains exemptions for churches, faith-based institutions, and some small businesses. The state of Indiana made headlines in spring 2015 for its controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
According to News and Tribune:
In the legislation, the state’s schools and businesses would be allowed to write their own policies on the use of bathrooms or showers based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. They also could decide for themselves what dress code to impose on students and workers.
Under the bill, those rules wouldn’t count as discriminatory.
House and Senate Democrats have called for simpler solution, saying a fix could be had by adding four words and a comma: “sexual orientation, gender identity” to the Indiana’s civil rights law.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!