by Maureen Hayden

December 12, 2016

 

INDIANAPOLIS — When advocates for a hate-crimes bill took their case to the Legislature last year, their cause was quickly overshadowed by a separate effort to expand the state’s civil rights law to include LGBT protections.

The latter measure, which ultimately failed, became known derisively as the “bathroom bill” with opponents who claimed, falsely, that it would allow predatory men to sneak into women’s restrooms.

The hate crimes bill took a hit, too.

 That’s because it included sexual orientation and gender identity in its language — along with race, color, religion, ancestry and disability.

Now, as advocates prepare to make another push for a hate crimes law, they first must unravel the confusion.

 

Full article:

http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/state-of-the-statehouse-advocates-of-hate-crimes-law-ready/article_5f4b3eac-bfd1-11e6-8168-57ba40a84ee3.html