People Against the Valparaiso Indiana Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Ordinance

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Civil Rights Ordinances are playing havoc across the United States of America. While this legislation has been defeated at both the federal and some state levels, cities are creating ordinances that include SOGI language. There is no substantial evidence of discrimination in the city of Valparaiso Indiana based on SOGI. Therefore this ordinance would be providing a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

In many studies cities and states that have enacted SOGI legislation actually have actually damaged their economies. Forbes shows 8 out of 10 of the worst state economies in the USA have SOGI laws in place. This ordinance if passed if Valparaiso would also provide grounds for business owners to be prosecuted because of their religious beliefs.

The State of Indiana added to its code section 1. IC 34-13-9 on July 1, 2015. This section more commonly known as the, "Religious Freedom Act," we believe protects businesses from the prosecution as described in the Valparaiso Indiana SOGI ordinance. Section 8 of the IC 34-13-9 states, "(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a governmental entity may not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability."

Therefore, we feel the Valparaiso Indiana SOGI ordinance is unlawful in compliance with the State of Indiana Law.