COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) — The all-Republican city council in Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s hometown has voted unanimously to give initial support for adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s anti-discrimination ordinances.
The Columbus City Council voted on the night of Sept. 1 to advance the proposal that would also extend protections to military veterans and those 40 and older. The Republic reports the council could take a final vote Sept. 15 on the ordinance change.
Columbus Councilman Frank Jerome says that in the future such sexual orientation protections will “seem like a no-brainer.”
Some other Indiana cities are considering expanded sexual orientation protections, although the mayors of Elkhart and Goshen withdrew their measures following opposition campaigns.
Columbus-based Cummins Inc. was a leading opponent of Indiana’s religious objections law, which critics maintained was anti-gay.
