Even before the first hearing on Senate Republicans’ civil rights bill for gays and lesbians, its author has introduced a revised version.
Markle Senator Travis Holdman’s new version would let stand local ordinances in Indianapolis and 16 other communities that go further than state law.
Holdman also dropped transgendered Hoosiers from the bill — the alternative version would grant civil rights protections only based on sexual orientation.
Holdman says he got pushback from left and right on his original bill’s transgender provisions. Opponents are up in arms over which sex can use public restrooms, while gay-rights supporters criticized Holdman’s attempt to define when you qualify for gender identity protections.
Holdman says legislators haven’t analyzed gender identity issues in any depth. His new version punts the transgender question to a study committee.
Democrat House Minority Leader, Scott Pelath says the best police and political approach for Republicans would be to pass unambiguous protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tem David Long says he’ll hold a hearing on both versions of the bill, but hasn’t set a date.