Indiana Republicans have announced changes to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in the face of opposition and criticism. They say sexual orientation and gender identity will now be explicitly protected in the new law.
Indianapolis business leaders gathered this morning to propose changes with Indiana lawmakers.
"Senator Long and I will fulfill the pledge we made on Monday, and that is that we would fix the RFRA statue to assure that Indiana does not tolerate discrimination against any class of Hoosier,” said Brian Bosma, Republican house speaker.
Former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson said the phrases "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" will appear in state law, providing protection from discrimination for the first time.
"What was intended as a message of inclusion, inclusion of all religious beliefs, was interpreted as a message of exclusion, especially for the LGBT community," Bosma said.
"The healing needs to begin right now," Peterson said.
Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler announced on Tuesday that a resolution is being written to announce Muncie’s stance on the law.
Tyler told the Star Press that the resolution could be approved at Monday’s city council meeting.
Currently, no changes have been made to the meeting or agenda.
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