A bill that would have overridden local ordinances prohibiting public and private employers from discriminating against lesbian, gay and transgender people has been pulled within less than a week of being filed.
A bill that would have overridden local ordinances prohibiting public and private employers from discriminating against lesbian, gay and transgender people has been pulled within less than a week of being filed.
State Sen. Barrow Peacock, R-Shreveport-Bossier, introduced Senate Bill 485 on Feb. 28, but following a social media backlash and barrage of emails from the LBGT community, Peacock withdrew the bill on Wednesday. The bill would have pre-empted "local government authorities from adopting different employment standards and conditions." Only New Orleans and Shreveport have such ordinances on their books.
The Baton Rouge Metro Council almost considered a like-minded resolution in 2010 (the resolution was withdrawn amid an outcry from area clergy), and Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel balked at the idea of such an ordinance being passed in Lafayette, saying during a post-State of the Parish Q&A in February, "It's not something that we in local government will ever, ever deal with. It's not important. It's not going to accomplish anything. It's symbolism over substance," and closed by characterizing such an ordinance as "silly." Read more about that here.