The leader of Indiana's Senate Democrats says his caucus will sponsor a bill next legislative session that would add civil rights protections into Indiana law for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane of Anderson said Tuesday the draft legislation would add the phrases "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to Indiana's existing civil rights act.
Lanane said making those changes will ensure that all Indiana residents, including members of LGBT communities, are protected against discrimination under state law.
He said "there's no room for short cuts or half measures, or exceptions" in the wake of a national uproar last spring after Gov. Mike Pence signed a religious objections law passed by the Republican-dominated Legislature.
Critics said that law in its initial form could have led to LGBT discrimination.
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