Laws

Indiana does not have a statewide law that protects LGBTQ people from discrimination. This means that a person can still be fired, denied housing, or refused service simply because of whom they love or how they identify. Nonetheless, as of January 5, 2021, a number of Indiana municipalities have passed local ordinances banning LGBTQ discrimination, either for sexual orientation or gender identity, in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

HB 1608 declares that schools, their employees and staff members, and third-party vendors used by schools “may not provide any instruction to a student in prekindergarten through grade 3 on human sexuality.”

• Unfortunately, the law is quite vague and does not define “instruction” or “human sexuality.”

However, HB 1608 does include two exceptions to this ban on human sexuality instruction:

• HB 1608 does not “prohibit a teacher from providing instruction on academic standards developed by” the Indiana Department of Education or otherwise required by law.

• Nor does it “prevent a school employee or a school staff member from responding to a question from a student regarding” human sexuality.

source: "Know Your Rights"

HB 1608 requires schools to “notify in writing at least one parent” of an unemancipated minor student if “a request is made by the student to change” the student’s name, pronoun, title, or word used to identify them.

• Notification to the parent must occur “[n]ot later than five business days after the date on which a school receives” the request from the student.

But HB 1608 does not require parental consent before school employees may address a student by that student’s appropriate name or pronouns. HB 1608 also does not displace obligations that school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, and school counselors may have under federal law, nor does it excuse a school or district from complying with federal civil rights laws protecting students.

source: "Know Your Rights"

As of this bill the discussion of pronouns is very difficult when speaking with a student in circumstances where they can not properly come out. Due to this within the presences of a teacher the use of correct name/pronouns will not be used. If you are a student with-in these circumstances PLEASE let an officer know via email, meeting, or instagram. There are measures leaders can take to allow you to still use your preferred name and pronouns especially within our GSA meetings. For contact info check out CONTACTS