In early January, House Bill 1291 was presented at an Indiana General Assembly meeting. This new proposed bill will impact the lives and identities of LGBTQ+ members around Indiana.

The bill, authored by Indiana representative Chris Judy, suspends transgender recognition on important state documents and statues by replacing the term “gender” with the phrase “biological sex.”

This denies LGBTQ+ members the right to express their preferred pronouns.

Furthermore, this proposed legislation will change the stance on gay marriage. The bill states that marriage is “between a man and a woman.” Any marriage that doesn’t follow this phrase will be deemed void.

The substantial list of legislation passed against the LGBTQ+ community grows higher and higher leaving some furious with the ramifications these passed bills bring along.

In the summer of 2023, many bills regarding transgender rights were passed. These bills ranged from prohibiting transgender healthcare for minors to banning books that include LGBTQ+ content.

“Indiana politicians are overreaching when it comes to the LGBTQ community,” Pride Club sponsor Timothy Case said. “I disagree with their efforts and attempts.”

Similarly, Pride club members at SHS believe that the bills created by Indiana law makers are unconstitutional and will cause riots.

As members of this community they believe that this new legislation interferes with their ability to express their true identity.

“They are trying to take control of our lives,” senior Zen Vest said. “They have no right to do that.”

The future of this proposed bill lies in the hands of the Indiana lawmakers. Though they have made many attempts to weaken the LGTBQ+ community, members of this community will still continue to hold their true identities close to their hearts.