NCAA supports group pushing for LGBT rights

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A business coalition formed in support of expanding LGBT rights in Indiana is getting a boost from another major organization. The NCAA has joined the group “Indiana Competes.”

Officials at the national NCAA headquarters said in a statement they’re “proud” to join the group Indiana Competes to help “establish fair and equitable policies for all.”

24-Hour News 8 first told you about Indiana Competes last month. The coalition has rallied with more than 300 other large and small businesses, including Eli Lilly and Co., Cummins, AT&T and Anthem.

Indiana currently doesn’t offer statewide protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The issue of expanding civil rights protections to the LGBT community hit a tipping point last spring after controversy over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act attracted national attention. That all happened right before Indianapolis hosted the Final Four. Back then the NCAA issued a statement against RFRA.

Civil rights protections are expected to be a big issue again when lawmakers return to the Statehouse in January.