Indiana Newspaper Calls for Equal Rights for All

The newspaper that has served Indiana since 1903 takes a bold stand, calling for state lawmakers to enact equality legislation, which its editors proclaim as 'necessary and right.'

Dawn Ennis

The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.

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Dawn Ennis

August 28 2015 4:49 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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The editorial board of The Indianapolis Star today published a call to capitol politicians to enact statewide protections for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people.

In an editorial displayed prominently on the front page of the Gannett-owned newspaper, the editors told their readers this campaign is "aimed at convincing state political leaders to adopt a law modeled after Indianapolis' 10-year-old human rights ordinance. Indy's law provides strong legal protections for LGBT citizens, but has not placed undue burdens on businesses or religious organizations."

The editorial harkens back to the fight over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence in March, which critics said would allow anti-LGBT discrimination in the name of religion. The backlash against the state was immediate, and the editors took credit for leading the charge to restore Indiana's good name.

"The Star responded in that moment with a front-page editorial on March 31 that demanded of the governor and lawmakers: 'Fix This Now.'"

Reaction to that editorial was swift, praising the newspaper's stand. Ellen DeGeneres retweeted the paper's front page and called it "absolutely perfect:"

\u201cThe front page of the Indianapolis Star this morning. Absolutely perfect. I couldn\u2019t have said it better.\u201d
— Ellen DeGeneres (@Ellen DeGeneres) 1427816919

"A day later, an impressive gathering of top business, civic and academic leaders stood in the Indiana House chambers, along with House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate leader David Long, to announce that they had reached a compromise to 'fix' RFRA by amending it so local human rights ordinances would no longer be negated by the new law."

And as The Advocate has reported, that April amendment to "fix" the law turned the tide in favor of laws to prohibit anti-LGBT discrimination and showed a growing number of voters disenchanted with Gov. Pence.

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The editors wrote they now intend to hold leaders to their pledge to lead a statewide conversation about expansion of the civil rights law during the 2016 legislative session.

"We will push hard for our state's leaders to embrace the value of rights for all and to write that into law."

In their editorial published today, the board members said they will give this cause the same effort as in their previous battles "for better protections for abused and neglected children, more efficient local government, improved care for developmentally disabled and mentally ill Hoosiers, and other causes."

In calling this legislation both "necessary and right,"the Star promised its readers, "We unwaveringly believe that means building a state where discrimination is not tolerated in any form."

Read the entire editorialhere.