A report from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law claims that roughly 133,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers in the state of Indiana are at risk for employment discrimination due to their gender identity or sexual orientation. The report said that just 36 percent of the workforce in Indiana is protected by the state’s executive orders or nondiscrimination laws.
In a release from the authors of the report, it has been recommended that a law be created that covers the entire state of Indiana regarding discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The authors believe that a statewide law would help protect all the workers in the state, not just a group of workers.
The National Transgender Discrimination Survey found the following information based on responses in the state of Indiana:
- Seventy-five percent of people who took the survey claimed they were exposed to discrimination, mistreatment or harassment at work.
- Thirty percent of people claimed they lost their job.
- Twenty-one percent claimed they were not awarded a promotion.
- Forty-eight percent claimed they were never hired due to their gender identity.
According to census data from the state of Indiana, the median income for men in a same-sex relationships is 34 percent less than the income of men not in same-sex relationships.
There are seven Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Indiana. Of those seven, six of them have policies that discuss sexual orientation as part of nondiscrimination.
The law states that all employees cannot be discriminated against based on their sex. Those who feel they have been discriminated against in Indiana should consult with an experienced family law attorney about their case.
Source: Windy City Times, “133,000 LGBT Indiana workers Lack Statewide Protection from Discrimination,” Aug. 10, 2017