Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...Louisiana gov. drops gay anti-discrimination order
08.21.2008 11:40am EDT
(Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) is dropping an executive order prohibiting employment discrimination against gay and lesbian state workers that was put in place in 2004 by his Democratic predecessor.
Jindal said Wednesday that when the order expires Friday he will not renew it.“The reason for allowing the order to lapse is that I don’t think it is necessary to create additional special categories or special rights,” Jindal told The New Orleans Advocate newspaper.
“We are firmly and strongly committed to fair treatment of all of our people and certainly don’t condone discrimination in any form,” Jindal said.
The executive order, signed by then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco, bars state agencies and contractors from various sorts of harassment and discrimination by race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin political affiliation or disabilities. It was modeled after a similar anti-discrimination order issued in 1992 by then-Gov. Edwin Edwards.
The governor said that federal law already bans discrimination. But neither federal nor Louisiana state law bars discrimination against LGBTs in employment.
That Jindal is allowing the order to expire is no surprise. He has fought it since its inception.
When Blanco announced in 2005 she was preparing the order, Jindal, then a member of Congress, joined with Sen. James David Cain and two Republican members of the Legislature to fight the measure.
It nevertheless went into effect the following year.
Jindal was widely been seen as a potential Vice Presidential running mate for John McCain.
As Jindahl is a straight male of Indian decent, I wonder if he would also have let an executive order expire that banned discrimination based on race and national origin. Somehow, I think not. It seems no matter what the race, gender, or sexual orientation (think closeted Governor Crist of Florida) of Republicans, they still mainly follow a extremely homophobic drumbeat.
Discrimination takes many forms and can come from all sources. One would hope and think that a visible minority would be more in tune the discrimination struggles of other groups.
It make me concerned that racist comments may now been thrown at him. It seems now that everyone can be bigoted.
There is sure a lot of hatred going on in the South.
PS. I am from Canada where we kept our own bigots on a very short leash.
I wonder if Governor Jindal realizes that “special rights” are responsible for his family being in this country and him being able to get to the position that he is in.
Chris, if hoping, even expecting, that someone who has benefitted from so called “special rights” would want to keep them in place for our community, and even extend them from current classifications to BTs – rather than pulling the ladder up behind him for LGs – is being bigoted and racist, then your view of life is very different from mine.
If Jindhal was a white male and also gay or transgender, I would feel the exact same way – he should know better based on his life experiences of being a minority in a majority culture. Obviously, Jindhal has no empathy for our community, and that is just plain wrong.
I am from New Orleans. For the person who suggested boycotting us, Thanks. NOT everyone in this state is a supporter of Jindal or is a Republican Bigot. If anything it is all the more reason why you SHOULD come, but when you do, spend your money at gay owned business or companies that are gay friendly etc..
Write Jindal a letter, just because you live in another city or state doesn’t mean you can’t express your opinions. I have written senators in other states and made calls. I believe we ALL in LGBT community should work together.
Besides, have you ever been to New Orleans? Despite the State’s reputation, New Orleans is probably one of the most gay friendly cities in this BUSH Run Rupublican dominated back ass country…
If you are as pissed as I am then bring your gay asses on the “Freedom Buses” like in the 60’s and HELP us fight this bigot for our rights.
PS: Jindal is a millionaire folks, he is not “out of india” like the poor people you see on tv, travels, etc. So, he has probably not faced discrimination. He also converted to Christian/Catholicism. Don’t ya’ll know converts are exempt? lol
He is only in his 30’s where did he get his money? should be researched.
Furthermore, He like most bigots have children, when they grow up and are gay or lesbian and someone harms them (which I wish on no one) then maybe he will see how hurtful and disgusting his actions were….
In closing forgive my terrible grammar since we all from the south are “stupid” according to some of you.
We need to be United, not regional, etc.
Bri – YOU ARE MY HERO!!!
I couldn’t agree with you more.
I have been posting these very same views on every blog/comments section I can find. I would be on one of those Freedom Buses if given the chance.
If everyone would put there anger into action, every GLBT (including us Southerners) would be a force to be reckoned with!
This is exactly why we must all vote democratic and stop the “religious” right from spreading hate and manipulating the republican party from
taking away any rights we have worked so hard to get. WE ALL MUST VOTE IN NOV!!!
Asking gays to vote and support Obama is a waste of time! Thay would rather sit at home and cry about not having equal rights!! More gays are organized for republicans. Go figure!!
Pete Zirot
Living in Florida we are used to dealing with homophobes in office,my Democratic rep. is one of them. But when I travel I do not go where I have to worry about dealing with them on vacation,so I will be boycotting this city and state until they get with the 21st cent.
Steamed in Sarasota
All things being equal, I would agree with Jindal; however, all things aren’t equal are they? We are making progress, though, so maybe through the next generation, we wouldn’t even need to consider legislation like this. Our progress is primarily due to the few
who gave all they could at the Stonewall Riots. I will, forever, be eternally grateful!
Marriage for heterosexual couples only is a special right. If the people in power still chant this bumper sticker mantra of “equal rights not special rights” in argument to sway opinion in their favor, perhaps they should be forced to reevaluate marriage based on that perspective.