BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Gov. Mike Pence still undecided on expansion of LGBT protections

Chelsea Schneider
Chelsea.Schneider@indystar.com
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence

With less than two months before the start of next year's legislative session, Gov. Mike Pence said he’s made no decision on what he feels is the best way forward as lawmakers prepare to discuss a potential expansion of protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Hoosiers.

The Republican governor on Tuesday said he’s still studying the issue, and once he’s come to a conclusion, Hoosiers will know where he stands.

“There will come a time either before or after the outset of the (legislative) session that Hoosiers know precisely where I stand on these issues,” Pence said. “I really do believe it’s just important that we listen respectfully to all sides. I’ve been meeting with people across the state of Indiana who represent a broad spectrum of views on this, and we’ll continue to do that.”

Discussion around the expansion of the state’s civil rights laws to cover sexual orientation and gender identity is an outgrowth of the 2015 legislative session where lawmakers passed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, escalating tensions between religious conservatives and supporters of LGBT rights.

Senate Democrats in October announced they had drafted a bill to add protections for LGBT Hoosiers. The proposal would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Republicans have yet to lay out a specific proposal.

Pence’s comments came at Lebanon High School on Tuesday morning after he spoke to a career and technical education summit. Later in the day, the governor traveled to Northwest Indiana for a town hall.

“The most important thing I think is that as this debate goes forward that we demonstrate the kind of respect and civility for which the people of this state is so widely known,” Pence said. “I’m confident that we will.”