LOUISIANA: Baton Rouge City Council Rejects LGBT Rights Bill By 8-4 Vote

Another LGBT rights bill was rejected last night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The EBR Metro Council has voted against the controversial fairness ordinance by a vote of 8 to 4. Councilmembers John Delgado, Donna Collins-Lewis, Chandler Loupe, and C. Denise Marcelle all voted in favor of the ordinance. The ordinance would have made it illegal to discriminate against veterans, seniors and members of the gay, lesbian and transgender communities in Baton Rouge when it comes to employment, housing and public accommodations. The vote comes after public comments and opinions from both sides were shared at its July 22 meeting for more than three hours, but the council couldn't vote due to time limits.

Anti-gay protesters backed by the Louisiana Family Forum demonstrated outside the city council chambers before the vote took place. The bill was supported by numerous local business groups.

Tony Perkins: Christians Aren't Welcome In My Hometown Of Baton Rouge

"The degrading comments of a city councilman aligned with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and other prominent businesses in my hometown are sending a message to Christians and conservative businesses that they are not welcomed in Louisiana's Capital City. In attempting to pass a special rights measure based upon sexual behavior last Wednesday, Councilman John Delgado ironically lashed out at opponents in his closing remarks alleging that their opposition to the controversial ordinance was using the council to impose a 'Christian version of Sharia law on the citizens of Baton Rouge.'  The comments came after three and half hours of public comment on the so-called 'Fairness Ordinance', a measure similar to the one recently adopted by the Houston, Texas council and now the focus of a citizen-led referendum to overturn it. The 'Fairness Ordinance' would create a new cause of action in District Court for allegations of discrimination on the basis of various categories, including sexual orientation and gender identity, something the Louisiana Constitution explicitly prohibits. While not surprised at how the advocates of these measures slander the opposition, it is alarming that the Baton Rouge Area Chamber would want to be a part of sending a such a religiously-discriminatory message that only certain citizens are welcome to participate in the democratic process." - KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins, again screaming about an ordinance that already exists in hundreds of cities.