Mayor Ballard named grand marshal of Pride parade

The mayor of Indianapolis who backed the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community amid the uproar over Indiana's religious objections law has been named grand marshal of a parade celebrating the group.

Indy Pride announced last week it selected Mayor Greg Ballard to be the grand marshal of the Indiana Pride Parade on June 13 as part of Circle City Pride Week.

Ballard was prominent among Indiana political leaders in supporting the LGBT community after Gov. Mike Pence signed the religious objections law that many perceived as discriminatory against the group. The General Assembly later passed and Pence signed legislation aimed at clarifying the law.

Indy Pride says Ballard is the first sitting mayor to serve as grand marshal of the parade.

Ballard says parade is a great opportunity to demonstrate "Hoosier hospitality."