The Indiana General Assembly will be once again considering a change to the Indiana Civil Right Law in January of 2009. LGBT people are conspicuously omitted from Indiana civil rights protections. In our state, a person can still be fired or denied credit, housing, or public accommodations simply for being gay or transgender. Tell your elected officials that this isn’t acceptable.

Here are just a few reasons why all Indiana residents should care about civil liberties for all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people:

• LGBT Hoosiers have contributed much to the competitive, high tech service economy as well as the technologies that make it possible
• LGBT Hoosiers add value to the economy; furthermore, all taxpayers benefit when the economy is boosted, because everyone can work to his or her potential without fear
• Reduction of employment discrimination improves worker productivity
• Universities that provide environments free from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are able to attract top academic talent and remain competitive. Diversity of all kinds is critical to universities where creativity is vital to competitiveness
• Families, of which we are all members, are more stable and nurturing if the members are seen as equal, with rights and responsibilities for one another
• Families are more stable if all members are treated with respect and dignity instead of fear and bigotry
• Any perception that Indiana lacks a climate of diversity hurts the state's economy. Large corporate enterprises are known to closely scrutinize these issues when deciding to invest in the state's economy by locating and expanding facilities there

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

All Indiana residents should be provided protections against discrimination. I urge the Governor and the Indiana General Assembly to assure basic rights in employment, public accomodations, credit, and housing for all Hoosiers.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
August 21, 2008