After the spring's national furor over Indiana's passage of a Religious Freedom Restoration Act, several Hoosier cities this summer quietly extended civil rights protections to those of differing sexual orientation or gender identities.
Quietly, that is, until proposed Elkhart and Goshen ordinances in the last several weeks drew outsiders from both sides to Michiana. The ensuing barrage of opposition prompted mayors in those cities to withdraw the proposals. A similar ordinance Carmel's mayor introduced more recently, initially expected to pass easily, instead drew a full house Monday, filling the room with emotional debate.
The regional discussions — over whether extending protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity would in turn discriminate against business owners acting on their religious beliefs — are likely just a precursor to the issue resurfacing in the next General Assembly in January.
After Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in late March, which proponents said was intended to codify a person's right to express religious beliefs, opponents raised concerns over wording of the law they said would instead legalize discrimination against gays, lesbians and others. Leaders of out-of-state companies threatened to boycott the state. Lawmaker revisions soon followed, which prohibit businesses from using RFRA as a legal defense for refusing on religious grounds to provide services, goods or accommodations. A state agency contracted with a New York public relations company for a "reputation enhancement initiative."
By July, Terre Haute, Hammond and Columbus had already joined the list of Indiana municipalities (which includes South Bend) offering protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people.
But when the mayors of two Elkhart County cities — Elkhart and Goshen — announced plans to do the same, activists from outside that county took action.