TSA News January 2020 Volume 38 Issue 1

IN State Senator Vaneta Becker Authors LGBTQ Civil Rights Bill

Indiana State Senator Vaneta Becker, who repre-sents portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick County, is the sole Republican author / sponsor of Indiana Sen-ate Bill 137, which if passed extends certain antidis-crimination and civil rights statutes to prohibit discrimi-nation based on sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and ancestry. Please thank Vaneta for taking this leadership stand! Please email her at Senator.Becker@iga.in.gov, write her at Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 or call her at 800-382-9467 to

thank her for her leadership and sponsorship of this bill!

Owensboro Fairness Hearing To Be Held on Thursday, Jan. 30 at OCTC

The Daviess County Fiscal Court is a public forum on the proposed Daviess County Kentucky Fairness Ordinance. The hearing will be held on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30pm in Blanford Hall in the Humanities Building at Owensboro Community and Technical College, 4800 New Hartford Road in Owensboro. All Daviess County residents are invited and encouraged to attend and speak. To keep up to date on progress on this very important campaign, please like the Owensboro Fairness page on Facebook and/or join the Owensboro Fairness Campaign group on Facebook. TSA will strive to share updates from these pages on our social media platforms.

What TSA Wants from the EVSC School Board

After an LGBT teen committed suicide in front of Central High School in January of 2017, TSA has intensified our push of the EVSC School Board. We were able to persuade EVSC to start GSAs at area middle and high schools, add sexual orientation to their employment non-discrimination policy, and send their diversity director for specific LGBTQ youth worker conference.

The following items are what we are still asking the EVSC to take action on:

(1) Discourse is the first step in addressing any issue. This issue has been a top priority for TSA over the past (3) years. If Ann is truly an ally for the LGBT community, especially in regards to Transgender, she should accomplish adding the following into EVSC Information items to start a public board discussion:

(2) We want gender identity to be added to your employment non-discrimination policy, as was done with sexual orientation. Please, add gender identity. (3) In order to create an equitable, safe environment for all students, in-cluding Transgender students, we want schools to utilize "best practic-es”. EVSC literally just lost a lawsuit because of mistreatment of a transgender student and could face further lawsuits if appropriate chang-es aren’t made.

William Hiett Obituary 1962-2019

William A. Hiett, 57, died at home on World AIDS Day on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. He was born on Oct. 7, 1962 at Evansville’s St. Mary’s Hospital, the son of Billy Joe Hiett and Sandra (Jones) Hiett. He per-formed in numerous nightclubs under the stage name of Tiffany Sex Jones. His mother survives, along with his siblings Kris Tina Bridges, Billy (Bennie) Hiett Jr., Scott Hiett, Heather (Terry) Raffidy and Stephanie Williamson; and close family friends David Feld-pausch and Carla Poindexter. He is predeceased by his father and by his brother Paul Curtis Hiett. William was cremated. A memorial service will be

held on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2pm at the TSA Offices, 501 John Street Suite 5, Evansville, IN 47713. Bill asked that memorial dona-tions be made to the TSA Youth Group, PO Box 2901, Evansville, IN 47728 or online at TSAGL.org/donate.html.

Unity Fellowship 625 Allen Street, Owensboro, KY 42303

www.unityfellowshipowb.org 270-315-9028 Services are on Sunday at 10:15am

Unity Fellowship, 625 Allen Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 www.unityfellowshipowb.org 270-315-9028

Services are on Sunday at 10:15am

Call Your State Senator to Support Senate Bill 250 Taxpayer funded schools won’t be able to discriminate against staff or students

This Indiana Senate Bill would prevent schools that receive taxpayer dollars would not be able to discriminate against staff or students. Introduced by State Senator JD Ford.

BILL SUMMARY: Prohibited discrimination. Provides that a choice scholarship school (eligible school) may not discriminate against a staff member based on dis-

ability, race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, or ancestry. Provides that if the department of education (department) determines that the eligible school discriminates against a staff member of the school, the department shall send a notice to the eligible school indicating that the eligible school will not be considered an eligible school beginning in the school year immediately following the current school year. Provides that the eligible school has 30 days from the date of the notice to demonstrate to the department that the eligible school does not discriminate against staff members. Provides that an eligible school that does not comply within that time will not be considered an eligible school beginning in the school year immediately following the current school year. Provides that an eligible school may not discriminate against a student on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mari-tal status.

STATUS: This bill is in the Indiana Senate Education & School Policy Committee. A hearing has NOT been scheduled to-date. ACTION NEEDED: Call and email state senators on the committee asking them to SUPPORT this bill AND to hold a hearing on the bill. They can be reached at 800-382-9467. They can also be written at Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. LOOK UP your state legislator at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/

REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chair Jeff Raatz of Richmond Senator.Raatz@iga.in.gov John Crane of Avon Senator.Crane@iga.in.gov

Brian Buchanan of Lebanon Senator.Buchanan@iga.in.gov Stacey Donato of Logansport Senator.Donato@iga.in.gov

Aaron Freeman of Indianapolis Senator.Freeman@iga.in.gov Dennis Kruse of Auburn Senator.Kruse@iga.in.gov

Jean Leising of Oldenburg Senator.Leising@iga.in.gov Linda Rogers of Granger Senator.Rogers@iga.in.gov Victor Spartz of Noblesville Senator.Spartz@iga.in.gov

DEMOCRAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Eddie Melton of Merrillville s3@iga.in.gov

David Neizgodski of South Bend s10@iga.in.gov Mark Stoops of Bloomington s40@iga.in.gov

Call Your State Senator to Oppose Senate Bill 74 Drivers License Bill Discriminates Against Transgender / Non-binary Citizens

Area State Senator Jim Tomes Authors Anti-Trans Bill

This Indiana Senate Bill would prevent non-binary from being a choice on Indiana Drivers Licenses. Bill was authored by Sena-tors James Tomes, Dennis Kruse, John Crane and co-authored by Mike Gaskill.

WORDING OF BILL: Gender on driver's licenses. Defines "gender" for purposes of the motor vehicle law. Defines "nonbinary designation" for purposes of the motor vehicle law. De-

fines "sex" for purposes of certificates of birth. Sets forth requirements to change the gender that appears on: (1) a driver's license; (2) a driver's permit; (3) an identification card; or (4) a photo exempt identification card. Prohibits: (1) a driver's license; (2) a driver's permit; (3) an identification card; or (4) a photo exempt identification card; from displaying a nonbinary desig-nation. Specifies that certain credentials with a nonbinary designation are valid until their date of expiration. Requires a person to specify a gender when renewing a credential that previ-ously displayed a nonbinary designation. Specifies that the presence of a nonbinary designation on a credential used to obtain: (1) a driver's license; (2) a driver's permit; (3) an identifica-tion card; or (4) a photo exempt identification card; does not abrogate certain prohibitions concerning the display of nonbinary designations.

STATUS: This bill is in the Indiana Senate Public Policy Committee. A hearing has NOT been scheduled to-date.

Action Needed: Contact State Senator Jim Tomes and ask him to work on legislation of REAL concern to Hoosiers, and quit

harassing transgender voters. He can be reach at Senator.Tomes@iga.in.gov, 800-382-9467 or written at Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. He represents Posey County and portions of Gibson and Vanderburgh Counties.

ACTION NEEDED: Call and email state senators on the committee asking them to OPPOSE this bill, to NOT hold a hearing on this bill, and to

consider bills of actual importance to Indiana residents. They can be reached at 800-382-9467. They can also be written at Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. LOOK UP your state legislator at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/

REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chair Ron Alting of Lafayette Senator.Alting@iga.in.gov Vaneta Becker of Evansville Senator.Becker@iga.in.gov Philip Boots of Crawfordsville Senator.Boots@iga.in.gov Jon Ford of Terre Haute Senator.Ford@iga.in.gov Ronald Grooms of Jeffersonville Senator.Grooms@iga.in.gov James Merritt of Indianapolis Senator.Merritt@iga.in.gov Mark Messmer of Jasper Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov

DEMOCRAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Lonnie Randolph of East Chicago s2@iga.in.gov Timothy Lanane of Anderson s25@iga.in.gov Greg Taylor of Indianapolis s33@iga.in.gov

Call Your State Senator to Support Senate Bill 207 Bill updates Indiana Needle Exchange Law, Helps with HIV / Hep C Prevention

SUMMARY OF BILL: Syringe exchange program. Requires a qualified entity to establish and maintain a syringe exchange program

registry. Provides a defense to prosecution of certain offenses related to controlled substances if: (1) a person is currently registered under a syringe exchange program; (2) the person obtained the hypodermic syringe or needle under a syringe exchange program; and (3) there is no more than a residual amount of a controlled substance located in the hypodermic syringe or needle. Removes the requirement that a public health emergency be declared as a prerequisite for the approval of a syringe exchange program. Repeals the expiration date of the syringe ex-change program. (Under current law, the expiration date is July 1, 2021.)

STATUS: This bill has been sent to the Indiana Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. A hearing has NOT been scheduled to-

date.

ACTION NEEDED: Please contact email state senators on the committee asking them to SUPPORT the bill and HOLD A

HEARING! They can be reached at 800-382-9467 or written at Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Look up your legislators at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/

REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chair Ed Charbonneau of Valparaiso Senator.Charbonneau@iga.in.gov

Vaneta Becker of Evansville Senator.Becker@iga.in.gov Liz Brown of Fort Wayne Senator.Brown@iga.in.gov Justin Bush of Fort Wayne Senator.Busch@iga.in.gov Michael Crider of Greenfield Senator.Crider@iga.in.gov

Ron Grooms of Jeffersonville Senator.Grooms@iga.in.gov Jean Leising of Oldenburg Senator.Leising@iga.in.gov Ryan Mishler of Bremen Senator.Mishler@iga.in.gov

DEMOCRAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Jean Breaux of Indianapolis s34@iga.in.gov Eddie Melton of Gary s3@iga.in.gov Frank Mrvan of Hammond s1@iga.in.gov

Thank Evansville State Sen. Vaneta Becker for Being an Author of Senate Bill 137 Indiana Civil Rights Bill

This Indiana Senate Bill would add several categories to Indiana’s non-discrimination law. It was authored by State Senators Timothy Lanane and Vaneta Becker, Co-authored by State Senator Mark Stoops.

WORDING OF BILL: Prohibited discrimination in civil rights statutes. Extends certain antidiscrimination and civil rights statutes to prohibit dis-

crimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and ancestry.

STATUS: This bill is in the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee. A hearing has NOT been scheduled to-date.

ACTION NEEDED: Please call and email state senators on the committee asking them to SUPPORT this bill AND to hold a hearing!

They can be reached at 800-382-9467. They can also be written at Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chair Eric Koch of Bedford Senator.Koch@iga.in.gov

R. Michael Young of Indianapolis Senator.Young@iga.in.gov

Senator Mike Bohacek of Michiana Shores Senator.Bohacek@iga.in.gov

Senator James Buck of Kokomo Senator.Buck@iga.in.gov

Senator Jon Ford of Terre Haute Senator.Ford@iga.in.gov

Senator Aaron Freeman of Indianapolis Senator.Freeman@iga.in.gov

Senator Susan Glick of LaGrange Senator.Glick@iga.in.gov

Senator Linda Rogers of Granger Senator.Rogers@iga.in.gov

DEMOCRAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Senator Lonnie Randolph of East Chicago s2@iga.in.gov

Senator Tim Lanane of Anderson s25@iga.in.gov

Senator Greg Taylor of Indianapolis s33@iga.in.gov

Call Indiana State Senator Vaneta Becker and ask her to Oppose Senate Bill 300

This Indiana Senate Bill would allow mental health professionals to discriminate against clients. These include clients who seek emergency services for suicide prevention and emergency interventions, including on the basis of sexual orientation and

gender identity, those who have received reproductive services, those who are divorced, etc. PLEASE CALL State Senator Becker at 800-382-9467 or email her at Senator.Becker@iga.in.gov and ask her to oppose Senate Bill 300. WORDING OF BILL: Conscience protection for mental health providers. Provides that a behavioral health or human services professional (professional) may be not required to: (1)

perform; (2) participate in; or (3) provide; a service that violates any sincerely held ethical, moral, or religious belief held by the professional. Provides that a professional may not be re-quired to perform, participate in, or provide, as a condition of: (1) training; (2) employment; (3) pay; (4) promotion; or (5) privileges; a service that violates any sincerely held ethical, moral, or religious belief held by the professional. Prohibits a hospital or other employer from: (1) discriminating against; or (2) disciplining; a professional because of a sincerely held ethical, mor-al, or religious belief held by the professional. Allows a professional to bring a civil cause of action in certain instances. Specifies certain remedies and requirements. Requires a profes-sional to refer a person who is denied service on ethical, moral, or religious grounds to an alternative professional.

STATUS: This bill has been sent to the Indiana Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. A hearing has NOT been scheduled to-date.

ACTION NEEDED: Please call and email state senators on the committee asking them to OPPOSE this bill! They can be reached at

800-382-9467

REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chair Ed Charbonneau of Valparaiso Senator.Charbonneau@iga.in.gov Vaneta Becker of Evansville Senator.Becker@iga.in.gov Liz Brown of Fort Wayne Senator.Brown@iga.in.gov Justin Bush of Fort Wayne Senator.Busch@iga.in.gov Michael Crider of Greenfield Senator.Crider@iga.in.gov Ron Grooms of Jeffersonville Senator.Grooms@iga.in.gov Jean Leising of Oldenburg Senator.Leising@iga.in.gov Ryan Mishler of Bremen Senator.Mishler@iga.in.gov

DEMOCRAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Jean Breaux of Indianapolis s34@iga.in.gov Eddie Melton of Gary s3@iga.in.gov Frank Mrvan of Hammond s1@iga.in.gov