Three Indianapolis mayors - past, present and future - shared the podium Friday to mark the 10 year anniversary of the City's human rights ordinance.
It was amended in 2005 to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. A very contentious issue, it narrowly passed on a 15-14 vote.
Then-Mayor Bart Peterson, a Democrat, recalls, "It's important to remember...because it was a different era in 2005, that attitudes have evolved. I doubt anyone here could have imagined in 2005 that same-sex marriage would be legal across the country in 2015."
Republican Mayor Greg Ballard followed by extending insurance and other benefits to the same-sex partners of City employees.
Ballard said of the Human Rights Ordinance, "Since that time, it has given LGBT residents and visitors a very simple promise to be free to live openly and with dignity. For 10 years, Indianapolis has shown that equal treatment under the law can coexist with all other freedoms we hold dear."
Last spring, Ballard became a vocal opponent of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act proposed by Republican lawmakers. Ballard and other critics argued the way RFRA was written, it could be used to discriminate against the LGBT community while damaging the City's and State's reputations.
Following a divisive debate and numerous protests, legislative leaders came up with "a fix," replacing some key wording. They also agreed to consider adding protections for LGBT individuals to the State's civil rights law in 2016.
All three mayors said it was critical the legislature do that.
"I think we've shown in Indianapolis the negative consequences (many feared) did not come about. I don't think anyone can point to a single incident since the ordinance passed ten years ago, so it can be a model for what the State wants to do," Peterson said.
Ballard said, "It's really unbelievable in the last 10-15 years the sea change among the general populace and I just hope (lawmakers) understand that. I've said this many times before: everyone under the age of 35 doesn't know why we're talking about it. It's, 'Get to the point and move on'."
The three leaders also hope nothing is done to weaken Indy's law. One proposal would preempt local governments from enforcing ordinances that provide stronger protections than State law.
Mayor-elect Hogsett said, "We must not and will not waiver."
He said his message to legislators will be, "We have a good thing going in Indianapolis. We want to welcome everyone and be the economic driving force for all of Indiana."
Hogsett said not passing a law or passing something that weakens Indy's could be "economically damaging" and have "a ripple effect thru central Indiana, and arguably all of Indiana."
