The City of Carmel may be on the verge of doing what the State would not do: grant protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
The City of Carmel may be on the verge of doing what the State would not do: grant protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
The desire to attract business and create jobs appears to be driving the debate.
"It may take the small businesses, someone like us to step up to put that in place and help with that," Floor Manager Torrie Hudson said in the Carmel hair salon Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The new popular hair salon in downtown Carmel fully supports the city's proposed ordinance, which they see as a benefit for diversity.
"We specialize in hair, but at the same time, this is a welcoming, safe place for all our employees, our customers. We don't discriminate. We want everyone to feel accepted," Hudson added.
"This is opening the door to an excessive amount of lawsuits," said former Carmel City Councilman John Accetturo.
He believes the ordinance is not needed in Carmel. In fact, "I think this ordinance will do great damage here in Carmel. What it does is tell we are picking sides. We are saying, 'Put your religion on the backburner'," Accetturo said.
Organizers of a rally in Carmel on Monday said this proposal is just the beginning.
"We've received word from the Noblesville mayor and Mayor Scott Fadness in Fishers that they are all entertaining their own discrimination ordinances," noted Denise Moe.
Once the rally ended, those in support of the ordinance marched one-by-one up to the Carmel council chambers.
The show of support was not enough to convince the council, though. They declined to vote on the ordinance Monday night, deciding instead to send it to committee for further consideration.
If eventually passed, the City would be authorized to fine any person or business up to $500 for violating the ordinance.
