INDIANAPOLIS -- It’s the ceremonial kick-off to the 2017 Legislative session - state lawmakers met on Tuesday to organize the next legislative session.
And their constituents tried to catch their ears to present some of the issues they hope lawmakers will take up when the general assembly meets in January.
Angie Best is a mother from New Palestine. She, along with members of “Freedom Indiana” delivered petitions to Governor-elect Eric Holcomb, along with letters to state lawmakers, asking them to approve civil rights protections for the LGBT community.
Best identifies as a lesbian and she has a daughter who identifies as a bisexual.
They know their fight will be an uphill battle, but she’s hopeful her cause might be heard in the upcoming session.
“With the current political climate, it’s impossible to be an LGBT person and not be afraid, and not think really hard about when you walk at night, who you’re with, can you show any affection and how do people look at you,” said Best.
Freedom Indiana is one of several organizations who took their concerns to the statehouse on Tuesday.
Members of the “All in for Pre-K Coalition” were also there to ask lawmakers to expand publicly-funded preschool to more children in the state.
Lawmakers are scheduled to return after the new year when the general assembly will begin.
