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Two Religious Conservative Groups Challenge RFRA 'Fix'

Two of the groups most opposed to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act's so-called "fix" filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging that measure.

The groups say the "fix" infringes on their religious liberties.

In the wake of controversy surrounding RFRA, lawmakers created a "fix" that says businesses can't refuse service to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity – with exceptions for churches, their schools, and religious nonprofits.

But the Indiana Family Institute and American Family Association of Indiana – two conservative, religious advocacy groups – say they don't fall into those categories.

A lawsuit filed Thursday in Hamilton County Court claims the RFRA fix is therefore unconstitutional, violating the groups' free exercise of religion, among a host of other alleged constitutional violations, including freedom of speech and equal protection.

The suit notes that while RFRA gave groups like the Indiana Family Institute a right to fight government regulations that burdened their religious freedom, the fix took that right away.

LGBT rights organization Freedom Indiana calls the lawsuit a "distraction" intended to ensure the state's reputation continues to suffer.

The two groups are also challenging human rights ordinances in Carmel and Indianapolis.