Conservative groups block gay rights measures across Indiana

The group Advance America is taking credit for killing such a measure in Goshen, the latest community to consider adding sexual orientation and gender identity to its local human rights ordinance.

Eric Miller, who heads the Indiana-based organization, said blocking the Goshen measure was essential to stopping a “pro-homosexual agenda” that is sweeping the state and disrupting groundwork for a state law to protect gay rights.

“They knew they had to have Goshen to continue the momentum moving toward a statewide law,” he said. “We’ve put a stop to that."

Miller is a longtime lobbyist who vehemently opposed same-sex marriage. He pushed the General Assembly to adopt a controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which critics said was a license for businesses to discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens.

Before the religious freedom law was signed, a dozen communities already had human rights ordinances. Nine of them covered sexual orientation or gender identity, though local rules varied.

Once the law passed, local leaders across Indiana started reexamining their ordinances.

Several cities, such as Terre Haute and Martinsville, passed measures in recent months with little debate or controversy. But Miller and other social conservatives decided to draw the line in Goshen and neighboring Elkhart.

Mayors of both cities cancelled votes on LGBT ordinances after Miller orchestrated vehement opposition. In Goshen, a city of 32,000, the vote was scheduled for Tuesday’s city council agenda.

Miller’s argument is that local rules protecting sexual orientation and gender identity will force businesses to serve gay couples. And, in tones that his critics call fear-mongering, he said the ordinances will allow cross-dressing men to access women’s bathrooms where they can prey on children.

The American Family Association of Indiana echoes his concerns and urged members across the state to oppose the Goshen ordinance, describing it as “an extension of the moral decay” of the sexual revolution of the late 1960s.

Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman said Miller’s efforts were surprising and offensive. Kauffman has called for what he describes as a “graceful conversation” for proponents and opponents to share their concerns in a more civil manner.

“The fears are real on both sides,” he said.

Chris Paulsen of Indiana Equality has supported the local ordinances, arguing that they signal to lawmakers the support among voters for expanded LGBT protections.

“We’ve had a number of wins,” Paulsen said, discounting Miller’s contention that developments in Goshen will kill efforts elsewhere.

But she does believe Miller when he promises massive pressure on elected officials who are considering similar measures.

That includes state lawmakers who were expected to take up the issue of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s civil rights law next year.

“That’s how these guys play,” Paulsen said.

Miller said he isn’t backing back down.

He’ll spend the next few months — before the 2016 election year — “educating and informing” lawmakers on what he says is the harm that comes from enacting LGBT protections on a state level, he said.

“They know the potential impact this has on the 2016 election,” he said. “There are a whole lot of people in Indiana who still support traditional values.”