Indiana Senate Bill No. 534, proposed early this year by Sen. Glenn Howard of Indianapolis, seeks to make amendments to the Indiana Code dealing with human services. More explicitly, the bill, if passed, will add "sexual orientation" to a list of other signifying factors, including race, religion, color, national origin, sex and age. These factors attest to an individual's civil rights under Indiana law.\n Howard's impetus for the bill was a story involving a group of people kicked out of their apartment complex because of their sexual orientation. His proposal, however, extends far beyond renters' rights. From applying for business loans and requesting retirement benefits to purchasing alcoholic beverages, individuals discriminated against because of their sexual orientation have zero support under the current law. \nSuch treatment is unfair and unwarranted, but what is more overwhelming is that the present law permits no recourse for action. Since several of the most important citations of the Indiana Code don't include sexual orientation, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered residents of Indiana are ignored when it comes to the law.\nOpponents of this initiative would surely attack the tediousness of adding merely a couple of words to the Code and would question the extent of the discrimination; yet, a closer look at the citations that will be affected by SB 534 reveals the incredible absence of individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered in the Indiana Code.\nIf the bill is passed and the citations amended, the words "sexual orientation" will need to be added 47 times to the existing printed law. Such a lack of consideration for any person, regardless of his or her characteristics or condition, is unwarranted and only further marginalizes those who already suffer from discrimination. How can these individuals truly feel like residents of Indiana if their own law doesn't even recognize them?\nFortunately, the initiative is gaining momentum across the state. In Bloomington, support is broad and strong. Members of several IU and Bloomington organizations (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays -- Bloomington Chapter, Commission on Multicultural Understanding and the IU GLBT Alumni Association) showed up at the Monroe County Courthouse to voice their agreement with the bill June 9. Hopefully their actions will become contagious throughout the state. \nIt is quite sad that it has taken Indiana so long to stand up for such a significant part of its population. Sen. Howard should be commended for his fine attention to the needs of his constituents.\nOne has to wonder how many more amendments we will need to make until all persons are protected under the law. Regardless of our current dilemma, we should all strive to form a lawful society that needs no list to realize the value of its people.
-- Vincent Carr for the Editorial Board
