Four Indiana cities ask judge to dismiss LGBT protections suit

Bloomington and three other Indiana cities have asked a Hamilton County judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging local protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The cities argue the conservative advocacy groups that filed the case against local human rights ordinances don't have standing and that they've improperly argued hypothetical situations, the Herald-Times of Bloomington reported.

The conservative groups said Bloomington's human rights ordinance and similar ordinances in Indianapolis, Carmel and Columbus could have a negative effect on religious freedom, particularly for evangelical Christian groups opposing LGBT rights and same-sex marriage.

The Indiana Family Institute and American Family Association of Indiana filed the lawsuit last December, seeking to bring back the state's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act in its original form. Indiana Family Action later joined the lawsuit.

Bloomington officials make the argument that the group bringing suit doesn't conduct business with their boundaries. They also say since their programs are not open to the public they are unlikely to be affected by nondiscrimination ordinances.

In response conservative groups have said they are posing a pre-enforcement challenge.

The hearing to dismiss the motion is scheduled for Wednesday.