Indiana cities appeal ruling in LGBT lawsuit

Columbus and three other Indiana cities have asked the Indiana Court of Appeals to overrule a judge’s ruling allowing conservative groups to continue with a lawsuit challenging anti-discrimination ordinances.

The cities, which include Bloomington, Carmel and Indianapolis, argue the appeals court should take the case because it will cost the cities substantial expense arguing the lawsuit on its merits and because the case involves substantial questions of law that have broad implications. The ordinances include protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Herald-Times of Bloomington reported.

The cities are appealing a decision by Hamilton County Superior Judge Steven Nation rejecting their requests that the lawsuit be dismissed. The ordinances are being challenged by the Indiana Family Institute, Indiana Family Action and the American Family Association of Indiana.