Indiana lawmakers are now being overlooked after abandoning all efforts done to increase strengths on the LGBT law that would protect lesbian, gay and bi-sexual people. The measure was designed to restore faith on the state following a boycott issued last year over religious objections.
All hopes are now killed for the anti-discrimination law made to aid lesbian, gay and bi-sexual people after efforts done by a Republican senator. According to Daily Journal, Senator Travis Holdman was deeply disappointed on how the bill he authored wasn't turned down after not gaining enough approval. In his senate speech, he stated that "It just does not appear the time is right for this piece of legislation and I regret that deeply" after detailing the failure of the bill to proceed. Beforehand, the measure was criticized by Democrats and LGBT rights activists since it failed to include the transgender and allowing broad religious exemptions.
More to this, an article written in Yahoo also included the statement of Senate Leader for majority of Republicans. Senator David Long has stated that every efforts that will try to balance the civil rights of LGBT people and religious liberty wouldn't satisfy no one. He added that they have abandoned every efforts to pass a gay rights bill for this legislative year. Sen. Long also included that they've took a beating from the both sides that lead to their decision and most of these are even out of the state.
Sun Times elaborated the specifics of the SB 344 bill and reactions from the LGBT community regarding this issue. SB 344 is an LGBT non discrimination bill authored by Senator Travis Holdman. The bill only included sexual orientation as protected class and therefore, leaving out the subjects for gender identity and exemptions to religious-based nonprofits. Regards to this concern, LGBT advocacy group of Indiana told the media that the caucus decision would mean the beginning of their work as they refrain from doing nothing.
The SB 344, a bill created to provide security against discrimination for the LGBT community has been turned down and would not progress as stated by Senator Holdman. The bill was designed to restore the state's reputation after a boycott last year emerged due to religious organizations objections to the bill. Senator David Long have spoken up on the side of Republicans for resulting to the decision made. LGBT group Freedom of Indiana also released a statement regarding the failure of the bill to proceed.
