More Than 150 Indiana Businesses Joining Forces To Advocate For LGBT Rights

INDIANAPOLIS -- More than 150 businesses from around the state are joining forces to advocate for LGBT rights this coming legislative session. 

Indiana Competes announced its formation less than a month ago and since then, the group has collected pledges from some of Indiana’s biggest names – Eli Lilly, Cummins, Anthem, AT&T, and Salesforce. 

Salesforce Marketing Cloud CEO Scott McCorkle says the Hoosier State’s future success depends on attracting the best possible workforce.

“We can’t recruit the best talent if our current or potential employees feel unwelcomed or are concerned about facing discrimination,” he said.

Eli Lilly Vice President Steve Fry says despite Gov. Mike Pence’s unwillingness, so far, to publicly declare his stance on the issue, he says he has confidence in Pence and the General Assembly.

“I think there is a strong desire for the legislature and the government to partner with businesses and the community to make sure that we find a path forward here,” Fry said.

Fry says he’s encouraged that Senate Republicans already developed and unveiled a legislative proposal for LGBT rights, though he declined to comment on the specifics of the bill and what he’d like to see changed.