Louisiana Gov. Jindal Drops Anti-Gay Discrimination Order

So much for the politics of conservative compassion supposedly signfied by the recent election of Bobby Jindal as Louisiana's new governor. Jindal will drop an executive order prohibiting employment discrimination against gay and lesbian state employees that was put in place in 2004 by his Democratic predecessor.

The order expires on Friday. Jindal says it "shouldn't come as a surprise" he will not renew the discrimination protections. "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 tells The New Orleans Advocate. The governor adds: "We are firmly and strongly committed to fair treatment of all of our people and certainly don’t condone discrimination in any form."

Former Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco enacted the order on Dec. 6, 2004. The order bars state agencies and contractors from various sorts of harassment and discrimination by race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation or disabilities. Louisiana was the only state in the deep south to protect its LGBT state employees.

Jindal fought the order 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." Meanwhile, the Louisiana legislature has rejected several proposals aimed at ensuring equal legal protections for gays and lesbians.

Bobby Jindal is widely rumored to be on the short list as a potential vice presidential running mate for John McCain. Jindal's rejection of employment discrimination rights for gay state employees comes only days after McCain said he could not choose a "pro-gay rights" running mate. Sounds like the message was received loud and clear.

Jindal to Let Gay Bias Order Die [NOA]
LA Gov Won'rt Renew Discrimination Order [Forbes]

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McCain Will Not Choose a "Pro-Gay Rights" Running Mate [R20]

Comments

[Derrick from Philly]

A few years from now, who shall hear the case (precipitated by Jindall's decision) when some brave gay person brings a discrimination suit against Louisiana before US Supreme Court? A court with 3 new McCain appointees? or a court with 3 new Obama appointees?

[KB]

thanks for this post Rod. Derrick, i love what you said man. what a blow to the community down there. having McCain in office would be like having another Katrina-except it would leave a mark all over the nation this time.

[Taylor Siluwé]

... and McCain's standing there managing to look more and more evil by the second. At least Bush just looked dumb.

[Bill]

Republican politicans are strengthening their anti-gay positions in preparation for John McCain to become president. They want to be apart of his administration. We have to make sure that doesn't happen. Vote Obama.

SPREAD THE WORD!

74 days until the election. Please help DEFEAT Proposition 8 in California and Proposition 102 in Arizona. Please get the word out why Obama will be a better president than McCain. This election is too important to sit on the sidelines.

http://www.noonprop8.com/
http://www.votenoprop102.com/

[johnozed]

Now is the time to fight these beasts. We as a nation cannot withstand anymore of these hateful ignorant people.

[ted]

Jindal is walking a tightrope here. He is not anti gay - this I know because I am a gay republican and we have been working legislation here with LCR and our Forum For Equality association. No gay people have been fired from his administration, nor is it likely any competent person will be. They have not been antagonistic to gays at all. He is tremendously intellectual and is strictly bottom line in his politics, and we are working to provide him with new information about gay people. Like so many, he has been fed lies aobut us all his life, and supported by his faith's position. Once he grasps the left-handed analogy, we think he will change his stance.

Down the road, when he decides to go onto the national scene, he will likely become president.

[Taylor Siluwé]

???!!

How can you say he's not anti-gay Ted when he's paving the way for discrimination against us in the work place?

Special privleges? Puh-leeze. Maybe he has been fed lies about us all his life, but you gay republicans coddling him like he's a cute but wayward toddler won't help him learn. Let the man know this position is unacceptable!

My god, gay republicans really need to grow a pair.

[gurlene]

What is truly sad here is the fact this man was elected Gov. in a state that is 60 percent black. If one needed anymore proof that the priorities of black in regards to politics is off track look no further than the state of Louisiana. There is no excuse for a black not to have been elected by now.