WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Last weekend, a young skater asked Western Skateland owner Sarah Ade, if it would be okay to use one of the roller rink’s bathrooms.
“I told them, ‘of course.'”
The next day, Ade posted a sign to let all of her customers know they are welcome.
Indiana is one of several states with ongoing debates in state legislatures over bathroom laws. This year, House Bill 1525, is one of several ‘bathroom bills’ regularly making an appearance in the Statehouse. HB 1525 would have mandated people use the bathroom defined by their “biological sex.”
HB 1525 did not pass out of the House Education Committee before the deadline for bills to advance out of their respective chambers, but it’s likely Republican Representatives will sponsor a similar bill next year.
A picture of Ade’s sign was posted onto a Bloomington-based Facebook page, this afternoon. It immediately drew controversy. Some commentators wrote they’ll boycott Western Skateland, others wrote in support of the roller rink.
“I’m not trying to get anybody hurt and I don’t want anybody to be feeling like they aren’t welcome at my rink,” Ade said. “I didn’t think it was necessary to post the sign, but I guess maybe it was necessary to post the sign.”
Although there was considerable debate on Facebook among area residents, Western Skateland’s doors are open.
