LGBT rights in Indiana
| LGBT rights in Indiana | |
|---|---|
 Indiana (US) |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of Indiana face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Indiana, but same-sex couples and families headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for all the protections available to opposite-sex married couples.
Laws against homosexuality
The Indiana sodomy law was repealed in February 1976.
Recognition of same-sex relationships
By statute, Indiana only recognizes marriages between a man and a woman and denies recognition to other legal arrangements that are "substantially similar to that of marriage."
Annual attempts to adopt a constitutional amendment have failed since 2004. Indiana requires that two separately elected legislatures approve an amendment for it to be put to a popular vote. The proposed amendment passed both houses of the legislature in 2005, and then again in 2011. If passed again in 2012 or 2013, it will become a ballot referendum in 2014.
Adoption and parenting
Indiana statutes permit single LGBT persons to adopt. The state Court of Appeals ruled in 2006 that unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, may adopt as well. Some local courts have also supported the right of a same-sex partner to adopt his or her same-sex partner's biological or adopted child.
Discrimination protection
Indiana law does not address discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Governor Joe Kernan issued an Executive Order in 2004 protecting state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation as well as gender identity and expression. In 2005, Governor Mitch Daniels adding the terms "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the list of protected categories in state employment covered by the state's Equal Employment Opportunity policy.
Hate crime
Indiana has no hate crimes statute.
References
Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Indiana
