Lawmakers and stakeholders in Indiana's LGBT rights debate hope a study committee hearing on the issue Tuesday will move the General Assembly closer to passing a bill.
Anti-discrimination legislation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Hoosiers couldn't make it out of committee last session. And a so-called "compromise" bill leaving out transgender protections cleared a committee but wasn't called for a vote on the Senate floor.
The bills' author Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, says the measures died because neither side was willing to give any ground. He says he hopes the study committee shows progress.
"We can't proceed unless we see that one side or both sides are going to move forward and try to come together to reach some compromise," Holdman says.
LGBT rights group Freedom Indiana's Chris Paulsen says she sees the study committee meeting as another opportunity to educate lawmakers.
"We're always happy to have the conversation," Paulsen says. "I think the more knowledge we can give people, the more they'll see there is a real need – as most Hoosiers know – there's a real need for full protections."
Holdman says whether the committee will recommend specific legislative language before next session depends largely on progress made at Tuesday's hearing.
The committee hearing is open to the public. It begins at 9:00 a.m. in room 404 at the Statehouse.