After state Rep. Mike Speedy raised the issue, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita this week produced an advisory opinion clarifying that neither state nor federal law requires a coworker to use the preferred pronouns and names of fellow employees. 

An employer therefore is likely not liable in cases where staff members choose not to use new names and pronouns that are gender-nonconforming, the opinion states — provided that a reasonable person would not find the work environment to be objectively hostile. 

“Hoosier businesses should not be burdened with policing employees’ words to make sure their attitudes align with the latest, wokest fads,” Rep. Speedy said. “They face enough needless government regulations without being on the hook for enforcing politically correct views of transgenderism.” 

No federal court, Attorney General Rokita said, has found occasional use of non-preferred pronouns alone, even if intentional, to be actionable discrimination or create a hostile work environment. 

“Most Hoosiers agree that we all should extend love and compassion toward individuals beset with gender dysphoria,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Treating these individuals with respect, however, does not require us to deny basic truths, as we see them.” 

The times call for common sense, Attorney General Rokita added. 

“We must oppose the radical agendas of extremists,” Attorney General Rokita said, “who would force us all to march in lockstep with the transanity that dominates so many facets of society, from Hollywood to corporate boardrooms.” 

The advisory opinion notes that courts have left unsettled the question of how a pattern of pronoun usage in referring to another person might create a hostile working environment that potentially could give rise to an action under Title VII — which is part of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. 

INDIANAPOLIS –The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) will award grant money to non-profit organizations throughout the state that assist veterans with a variety of services.

Solicitation for awards through the Grants for Veterans Services (GVS) is now open through May 15, 2024. Eligible applicants must be a non-profit organization registered with the Indiana Secretary of State. The organizations must use the money to help veterans in any of the following areas:

• Preventing veteran suicide
• Working to eliminate homelessness
• Preventing near-term homelessness
• Provide assistance concerning safe and secure living conditions
• Provide assistance for veterans moving from public housing programs toward home ownership or long-term rental status
• Provide assistance in finding available state and federal resources
• Provide therapeutic services
• Provide on-the-job training and job search assistance

Through the GVS program, the IDVA plans to award grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 depending on the volume of eligible applicants, applicants’ needs, and the availability of funding.

"IDVA’s GVS awards have consistently addressed critical veteran needs. Last year, the Indiana legislature added the ability to address veteran suicide prevention with the GVS program. We are looking forward to connecting with more organizations across the state who help veterans every day," said Dennis Wimer, IDVA director.

All applications, procedures, and documentation should follow the Indiana Code, Indiana Administrative Code, and Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs policies. Applications are due by 5 p.m. EST on May 15, 2024, and must be submitted online. The grant period of performance will begin July 1, 2024.

GVS may only be used to provide services to veterans who reside in the state of Indiana, who have served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States or their reserves, or the Indiana National Guard, and has not received a dishonorable discharge as evidenced by a DD-214 or National Guard Bureau (NGB) Form 22.

More information and a link to the application can be found on IDVA’s homepage or by clicking here.

About the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) is a state agency dedicated to serving. Its mission is to Support, Serve, and Advocate for the Indiana Veterans Community.  IDVA aims to make Indiana the choice for veterans to Live, Work, and Thrive. For more information about IDVA and its services, visit in.gov/dva.

Upcoming Deadlines

• May 1:  Last day for State Budget Agency to provide the amount of the supplemental Local Income Tax distribution to Department and qualifying counties. (Ind. Code § 6-3.6-9-15) Note: See May 15 and June 1 for more about Supplemental LIT distribution.
• May 1: Last day for township assessors to prepare and deliver to the county assessor a detailed list of the real property listed for taxation in the township (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-5-14)
• May 1: First day of the reassessment of the third group of parcels under the county’s 2022 - 2026 reassessment plan. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-4-4.2(a)(5)) 
• May 3: Last day for the county auditor to publish a second notice of the 2024 tax rates to be collected in the county for each purpose and the total of the rates in each taxing district. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-22-4)
• May 10: Last day an appeal (Form 130) and claim for refund may be filed for the Spring, 2021 installment of property taxes. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-15-12.1(h);
  Ind. Code § 6-1.1-26-1.1) 
• May 10: First installment of 2023-pay-2024 property taxes due. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-22-9) 
• May 10: Last day for county auditor to publish third notice of the 2024 tax rates to be collected in the county for each purpose and the total of the rates in each taxing district. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-22-4)