Attorneys seeking dismissal of a legal challenge to human rights ordinance changes protecting the LGBT community are expecting a ruling from a Hamilton County judge within the next three months.
Attorneys representing Columbus, Indianapolis/Marion County, Carmel and Bloomington argued for dismissal of the lawsuit in Hamilton Superior Court 1 in Noblesville on Wednesday in a four-hour hearing.
Columbus was represented by City Attorney Alan Whitted, who said Thursday he expects the judge’s ruling might come before the entire 90-day period of time judges are allowed to have before making a ruling.
Attorneys for the cities and their human rights commissions and commissioners are seeking a summary judgment against the Terre Haute-based Bopp Law Firm, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Indiana Family Institute, Indiana Family Action and The American Family Association of Indiana.
Carmel and Indianapolis/Marion County were initial defendants, and Bloomington and Columbus were added after each added human rights protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit contend the cities’ ordinances would allow the government to compel them to provide services to gay couples, something that goes against their beliefs.
