Entry #21274: Bathroom access in Indiana

Current Version

RegionIndiana
IssueBathroom access
StatusVaries by Region
Start DateDec 19, 2005
End Date(none)
DescriptionThere are no statutory statewide bathroom protections or bans in Indiana. However, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that transgender students have the right to access the bathroom of their gender identity in schools. While the court only directly ordered compliance from the school districts sued, it set binding precedent.

Many cities, including but not limited to Indianapolis in 2005, Evansville in 2011, and South Bend in 2012, have passed transgender public accommodation protections.
Sourceshttps://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/28/indiana-senate-backs-bill-restricting-transgender-school-restroom-use/
https://apnews.com/article/transgender-student-restroom-access-indiana-d910d7696c566473c20f474f117d0a9d
https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/indianapolis-city-council-protects-gay-lesbian-bisexual-and-transgender-cit
https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/evansville-bans-sexual-orientation-discrimination-0/531-d64be7ff-784c-4167-9884-305368ea473d
https://www.wndu.com/2023/07/07/city-official-seeks-expand-human-rights-ordinance-include-homelessness/


Revision History (3)

edited by geo833. added beginning date

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value (Current)
Start Date(unknown)Dec 19, 2005

edited by geo833. added more detail about cities + changed to varies by region

Helpful?
1
Old Value (Original) New Value
ValueNo explicit protections(REMOVED)
Special StatusNo explicit protectionsVaries by Region
DescriptionThere are no statewide protections regarding access to restrooms in Indiana. However, federal courts have previously protected transgender students' rights to use the restroom matching their gender identity.

SB 182 which aimed to restrict these rights was approved by the Senate in 2026 but ultimately failed to become law.
There are no statutory statewide bathroom protections or bans in Indiana. However, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that transgender students have the right to access the bathroom of their gender identity in schools. While the court only directly ordered compliance from the school districts sued, it set binding precedent.

Many cities, including but not limited to Indianapolis in 2005, Evansville in 2011, and South Bend in 2012, have passed transgender public accommodation protections.
Show Difference
There are no statewide protections regarding access to restrooms in Indiana. However, federal courts have previously protected transgender students' rights to use the restroom matching their gender identity. SB 182 which aimed to restrict these rights was approved by the Senate in 2026 but ultimately failed to become law. statutory statewide bathroom protections or bans in Indiana. However, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that transgender students have the right to access the bathroom of their gender identity in schools. While the court only directly ordered compliance from the school districts sued, it set binding precedent. Many cities, including but not limited to Indianapolis in 2005, Evansville in 2011, and South Bend in 2012, have passed transgender public accommodation protections.
Sourceshttps://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/28/indiana-senate-backs-bill-restricting-transgender-school-restroom-use/https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/28/indiana-senate-backs-bill-restricting-transgender-school-restroom-use/
https://apnews.com/article/transgender-student-restroom-access-indiana-d910d7696c566473c20f474f117d0a9d
https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/indianapolis-city-council-protects-gay-lesbian-bisexual-and-transgender-cit
https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/evansville-bans-sexual-orientation-discrimination-0/531-d64be7ff-784c-4167-9884-305368ea473d
https://www.wndu.com/2023/07/07/city-official-seeks-expand-human-rights-ordinance-include-homelessness/
Show Difference
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/28/indiana-senate-backs-bill-restricting-transgender-school-restroom-use/ https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/28/indiana-senate-backs-bill-restricting-transgender-school-restroom-use/ https://apnews.com/article/transgender-student-restroom-access-indiana-d910d7696c566473c20f474f117d0a9d https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/indianapolis-city-council-protects-gay-lesbian-bisexual-and-transgender-cit https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/evansville-bans-sexual-orientation-discrimination-0/531-d64be7ff-784c-4167-9884-305368ea473d https://www.wndu.com/2023/07/07/city-official-seeks-expand-human-rights-ordinance-include-homelessness/

created by nyelvtheelv

Helpful?
0
Original entry
StatusNo explicit protections
Start Date(unknown)
End Date(none)
DescriptionThere are no statewide protections regarding access to restrooms in Indiana. However, federal courts have previously protected transgender students' rights to use the restroom matching their gender identity. SB 182 which aimed to restrict these rights was approved by the Senate in 2026 but ultimately failed to become law.
Sourceshttps://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/28/indiana-senate-backs-bill-restricting-transgender-school-restroom-use/