BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP): Four Indiana cities have asked the Indiana Court of Appeals to overrule a judge’s ruling allowing conservative groups to go ahead with a lawsuit challenging anti-discrimination ordinances.

The (Bloomington) Herald-Times reports the cities of Indianapolis, Bloomington, Carmel and Columbus say the appeals court should take the case because it will cost the cities substantial expense arguing the lawsuit on its merits and because the case involves substantial questions of law that have broad implications. The ordinances include protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The cities are appealing a decision by Hamilton County Superior Judge Steven Nation rejecting their requests that the lawsuit be dismissed. The ordinances are being challenged by the Indiana Family Institute, Indiana Family Action and the American Family Association of Indiana.