Carmel Officials To Hear More Debate On Proposed LGBT Protections

CARMEL, Ind. (AP) — City officials in Carmel are waiting to take action on a proposal to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Acting City Council president Kevin Rider said during a Monday night meeting that the proposal won't be fast-tracked. Debate on the ordinance is set to continue at a committee meeting Thursday.

The proposal is sponsored by six of seven council members. The Indianapolis Star reports several council members said they wanted time to work out a possible compromise between competing interests.

Republican Mayor Jim Brainard has said the state Legislature should have adopted such protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. He offered changes to the proposal Monday to let religious business owners refuse to provide custom products or off-premise services.

Brainard says he still expects the ordinance to pass.