INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long is indicating a bill to extend civil rights to gay, lesbian and bisexual — but not transgender — people will be taken up by the full chamber, even if there’s not enough to support for it to pass.

Long made the remarks during a Thursday news conference after a Senate committee he chairs approved the bill late Wednesday.

The Fort Wayne Republican says he won’t pressure Senators to vote any particular way. But he says the discussion must be held, especially after last year’s religious objections law drew widespread and mostly negative attention to the state.

Long says a separate Senate bill to establish transgender civil rights was not voted on because it’s too contentious.