Indiana ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill pivots to kids’ gender identity
Teachers in Indiana public schools could be required to tell parents if a student changes their gender identity or preferred name under a bill House committee members approved Monday.
LGBT issues
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Former Roncalli counselor fired for same-sex marriage argues district court misapplied ministerial exception
A former Roncalli High School guidance counselor is asking the 7th Circuit Court of Apppeals to revive her lawsuit against the high school and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, arguing that the district court misapplied the ministerial exception.
Colorado baker loses appeal over transgender birthday cake
The Colorado baker who won a partial U.S. Supreme Court victory after refusing to make a gay couple’s wedding cake because of his Christian faith lost an appeal Thursday in his latest legal fight, involving his rejection of a request for a birthday cake celebrating a gender transition.
Prosecutor suspended by DeSantis loses bid to get job back
A federal judge ruled Friday that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the First Amendment and the Florida Constitution by removing an elected state prosecutor but that the federal courts lack the power to reinstate him.
Lawsuit in K-12 trans athlete sports ban dropped after client moves to charter school
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has dropped a lawsuit challenging a 2022 law that bans transgender girls from participating in K-12 girls’ sports after its client transferred to a charter school.
Bill would require schools to tell parents about students’ pronouns, gender identities
A bill filed by a top Republican lawmaker would require schools to inform parents if students request to change their names or pronouns or generally express questions about their gender identity.
Demonstrators protest NCAA’s transgender athlete inclusion
Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and about two dozen demonstrators outside the NCAA convention Thursday protested the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports and threatened the association with legal action if it doesn’t change its policies.
2022 in review: Top stories
To wrap up 2022, here’s a look back at the biggest stories of the year, as voted on by IL staff.
Judicial or legislative? COA continues to face gender-marker cases, asks justices to step in
Can a Hoosier change his or her birth certificate to reflect his or her preferred gender marker? Depends on which Court of Appeals of Indiana judge you ask.
Biden signs gay marriage law, calls it ‘a blow against hate’
A celebratory crowd of thousands bundled up on a chilly Tuesday afternoon to watch President Joe Biden sign gay marriage legislation into law, a joyful ceremony that was tempered by the backdrop of ongoing backlash over gender issues.
Bill protecting same-sex, interracial unions clears Congress
The House gave final approval Thursday to legislation protecting same-sex marriages, a monumental step in a decadeslong battle for nationwide recognition that reflects a stark turnaround in societal attitudes.
COA: Gender marker changes for trans children not covered under state statute
The Court of Appeals of Indiana is continuing to wrestle with requests to change legal documents for transgender children, parting ways with its own precedent and finding that trial courts cannot order a gender-marker change.
Kansas justice chides state law school for ‘closed’ climate
A member of Kansas’ highest court has resigned in protest from a part-time teaching job at a state law school following what he says was an attempt to pressure students into canceling an event featuring a leader of a group that opposes LGBTQ rights.
Landmark same-sex marriage bill wins Senate passage
The U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation Tuesday to protect same-sex marriages, an extraordinary sign of shifting national politics on the issue.
Gay bar shooting suspect faces murder, hate crime charges
The man suspected of opening fire at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs was being held on murder and hate crimes charges Monday, two days after the attack that killed five people and wounded many others.
Same-sex marriage legislation clears key Senate hurdle
Legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages crossed a major Senate hurdle Wednesday, putting Congress on track to take the historic step of ensuring that such unions are enshrined in federal law.
IU McKinney to celebrate $4M gift to bolster LGBTQ, diversity commitment
The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law next week will celebrate a $4 million financial gift designed to bolster diversity scholarship. The gift comes from an alumnus whose name has already been enshrined in the law school building.
Ex-Roncalli counselor Fitzgerald appeals ruling in favor of Indianapolis Archdiocese
Michelle “Shelly” Fitzgerald, the former guidance counselor at Roncalli High School who was fired for being in a same-sex marriage, is fighting the dismissal of her lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
COA affirms removal of transgender teen from home, rejects parents’ constitutional claims
A mother and father whose transgender teen was removed from their home due to allegations of abuse has failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that their rights as parents were infringed upon when the court intervened.
Colorado baker fighting ruling over gender transition cake
The Colorado baker who won a partial Supreme Court victory after refusing to make a gay couple’s wedding cake is challenging a separate ruling that he violated the state’s anti-discrimination law by refusing to make a cake celebrating a gender transition.