Anti-discrimination ordinance moves forward in Carmel

A proposal that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is set to go before the full Carmel City Council on Monday after being moved forward by the council's finance committee Thursday night.

The committee amended the proposal so that a first offense gets a warning, with additional instances calling for a fine of up to $500 each day.

Some council members, including finance committee chairwoman Luci Snyder, had previously expressed concerns about the fine system in the original language. The finance committee tabled the proposal late last month to allow further discussion.

At least three council members have publicly supported the ordinance, and city officials are expecting it to pass the full council where at least four votes would be needed. Voting to send the ordinance to the full council does not guarantee a council member will vote to approve it.

Other amendments could also be introduced Monday. Snyder had discussed at past meetings the possibility of defining terms like “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.”  

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard has said the city should take action following the passage of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act to send a positive message about the community, but several council members, including Kevin Rider and Eric Seidensticker, have argued it’s unnecessary because Carmel doesn’t have a discrimination problem.