Group rallies for transgender rights at Statehouse

All bills have to clear the Senate or the House by Wednesday.

Maybe the most controversial measure of all is a Senate bill to establish civil rights protections for gays and lesbians.

But the measure, which has exemptions for clergy, small businesses and religious organizations, has strong opposition from people on both sides of the issue.

The Indiana Senate could vote in the next few days to update the proposal to include the rights of transgender individuals. We want to believe the General Assembly is honest in their efforts to pass meaningful legislation to eliminate discrimination, but tonight’s hearing showed in missing another opportunity. We respect the legislative process and will continue to work with the General Assembly, but we will not support a final bill that does not provide for equal rights for the entire LGBT community. “I don’t think either one of them go far enough, but here in the General Assembly you learn to compromise”.

The amended bill, as it stands, calls for a study committee to review provisions for Hoosiers who are transgendered.

State Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, also would allow localities to enact civil rights protections covering LGB and T through 2017. Another Senate measure would restrict people with drug convictions from purchasing pseudoephedrine without a prescription by adding them to a national do-not-sell list.

A group of transgender Hoosiers were at the statehouse in Indianapolis on Monday with a message for lawmakers. Prohibits new local ordinances from differing with state law regarding what classes are covered and what penalties can be levied.