Fort Wayne To Consider Trans Rights

Fort Wayne, Indiana is set to consider a transgender rights law this week. But like the city’s toothless gay rights law, breaking this one will result in no penalty.

Democratic city council member Karen Goldner is expected to introduce an amendment in the coming week aimed at preventing or punishing discrimination based on “gender identity.” Goldner said transgendered people and others with unconventional sexual identities are often victims of hate crimes. “It can be very dangerous, you don’t always see them around because they’re hiding,” she said. The council passed an ordinance in 2001 outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation that, like gender identity, carries no legal sanctions.