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LGBT housing non-discrimination bill killed by Louisiana lawmakers
Between this and the abortion vote yesterday, Louisiana continued its slide back to the 19th century.
It should remain legal to deny housing to members of the Louisiana LGBT community, a state House committee voted Monday (March 31).
The House Commerce Committee voted 13-5 to kill a bill by state Rep. Jared Brossett, D-New Orleans, to prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The legislation was based on fairness ordinances already in effect in New Orleans since 1999 and, as of late last year, Shreveport.
Here is a breakdown of the committee vote:
Erich Ponti (R-Baton Rouge): NO
Kirk Talbot (R-River Ridge): absent
Stuart Bishop (R-Lafayette): NO
Thomas Carmody (R-Shreveport): NO
Kenny Cox (D-Natchitoches): YES
Hunter Greene (R-Baton Rouge): NO
Lance Harris (R-Alexandria): NO
Joe Harrison (R-Houma): NO
Kenny Havard (R-Jackson): NO
Paul Hollis (R-Covington): NO
Marcus Hunter (D-Monroe): YES
Katrina Jackson (D-Shreveport): NO
John C. Morris (R-Monroe): NO
Stephen Ortego (D-Carencro): NO
Vincent Pierre (D-Lafayette): YES
Ed Price (D-Gonzales): YES
Steve Pugh (R-Ponchatoula): NO
Gene Reynold (D-Minden): NO
Federal rules put forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development already mandate property owners receiving federal subsidies cannot discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. But, private owners in Louisiana still can. The legislation would not have applied to small businesses or landowners with three or fewer units.
The legislation was one of several bills supported by Equality Louisiana, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy group with headquarters in Baton Rouge. While Monday's vote was a blow to the group, and gay rights advocates across Louisiana, its leadership remained optimistic.
The House Commerce Committee voted 13-5 to kill a bill by state Rep. Jared Brossett, D-New Orleans, to prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The legislation was based on fairness ordinances already in effect in New Orleans since 1999 and, as of late last year, Shreveport.
Here is a breakdown of the committee vote:
Erich Ponti (R-Baton Rouge): NO
Kirk Talbot (R-River Ridge): absent
Stuart Bishop (R-Lafayette): NO
Thomas Carmody (R-Shreveport): NO
Kenny Cox (D-Natchitoches): YES
Hunter Greene (R-Baton Rouge): NO
Lance Harris (R-Alexandria): NO
Joe Harrison (R-Houma): NO
Kenny Havard (R-Jackson): NO
Paul Hollis (R-Covington): NO
Marcus Hunter (D-Monroe): YES
Katrina Jackson (D-Shreveport): NO
John C. Morris (R-Monroe): NO
Stephen Ortego (D-Carencro): NO
Vincent Pierre (D-Lafayette): YES
Ed Price (D-Gonzales): YES
Steve Pugh (R-Ponchatoula): NO
Gene Reynold (D-Minden): NO
Federal rules put forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development already mandate property owners receiving federal subsidies cannot discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. But, private owners in Louisiana still can. The legislation would not have applied to small businesses or landowners with three or fewer units.
The legislation was one of several bills supported by Equality Louisiana, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy group with headquarters in Baton Rouge. While Monday's vote was a blow to the group, and gay rights advocates across Louisiana, its leadership remained optimistic.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/03/lgbt_gay_louisiana_housing_dis.html