• WBST 92.1 FMMuncie
  • WBSB 89.5 FMAnderson
  • WBSW 90.9 FMMarion
  • WBSH 91.1 FMHagerstown / New Castle
Indiana Public Radio, a listener-supported service of Ball State University
Listen Live Online. Tap to open audio stream.

Archdiocese Of Indianapolis School Policy Barring Trangender Students Prompts Pushback

By Jeanie Lindsay, IPB News | Published on in Education, Faith and Religion, Politics
Archbishop Charles Thompson and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Gina Fleming defend the Archdiocese's policy on LGBTQ teachers at Catholics schools last year. (Evan Robbins/WFYI News)
Archbishop Charles Thompson and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Gina Fleming defend the Archdiocese's policy on LGBTQ teachers at Catholics schools last year. (Evan Robbins/WFYI News)

LGBTQ groups and Democrats at the Statehouse are pushing back against a school policy by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The policy bars transgender students from attending schools the Archdiocese oversees.

Democrats have pressed for legislation before, aimed at preventing religious schools from receiving public funding through the state’s voucher program if they discriminate.

The efforts have failed after Republicans have rejected their proposals or denied them hearings, but the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’s recently unveiled policy on gender identity is causing some, like Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) to renew calls for action.

“The number one priority of these dollars is to educate the children in our state and that means all of our children,” she said.

Organizers have also scheduled a caravan protest for Saturday to rally against the Archdiocese and its school policy excluding transgender students.

Contact reporter Jeanie at jlindsa@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @jeanjeanielindz.