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.
LGBT issues
Articles
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.
Dismissal of lawsuit against Archdiocese highlights sharp divisions
The lawsuit filed by Michelle “Shelly” Fitzgerald against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis hinged on the question of not what she actually did as a guidance counselor, but what the school expected her to do.
Court rules in favor of Archdiocese in discrimination dispute with second Roncalli teacher fired for same-sex marriage
The Indiana Southern District Court has tossed the final discrimination lawsuit brought by a former Roncalli High School guidance counselor against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
Democrats punt same-sex marriage vote until after election
Democrats are punting a vote to protect same-sex and interracial marriages until after the November midterm elections, pulling back just days after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to put the Senate on the record on the issue “in the coming weeks.”
Trans girls’ sports ban: Rokita opposes Title IX changes, female athletes file amici brief supporting the state
Efforts supporting a law restricting transgender girls from participating in girls’ K-12 sports continued this week, with Attorney General Todd Rokita opposing proposed Title IX changes and a group of female athletes filing a brief in support of the ban.
Rokita asks 7th Circuit to lift injunction against transgender girls’ sports law
To deter others from pursuing similar actions, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has appealed an Indiana Southern District Court injunction allowing a 10-year-old transgender student in Indianapolis to participate on her school’s softball team.
As Indiana courts rule for Catholic church, one discrimination case still undecided
In dismissing a lawsuit filed by a gay teacher against the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the Indiana Supreme Court became the second court to rule against an LGBTQ educator by finding that hiring and firing decisions are church matters not governed by the state.
7th Circuit denies request for en banc hearing in transgender sports lawsuit
A request by the state for the entire 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to hear a case challenging a new Indiana law that prohibits transgender girls from participating in K-12 girls’ sports has been denied.