NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu issued a statement of support for Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards’ executive order extending nondiscrimination protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender state employees and government contractors.
Statement from Mayor Landrieu:
"In New Orleans, diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Last year, I signed an executive order affirming that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated in our city. We believe that religious liberty and freedoms should be protected and discrimination prohibited, and we have passed our own laws to reflect that principle. I congratulate Governor Edwards for signing his executive order in support of the LGBT community, ensuring that discrimination will not tolerated by the State."
On May 21, 2015, Mayor Landrieu issued an executive order aimed at clarifying to the nation that New Orleans is a welcoming city where discrimination in any form is not tolerated. The order was issued in response to former Governor Bobby Jindal signing an executive order that included much of the same language as legislation that a House committee rejected by an overwhelming bipartisan vote the previous month.
Louisiana has already passed the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act in 2010, which prohibits government intrusion into a person’s exercise of religion, and that current code in New Orleans prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Mayor Landrieu’s May 2015 executive order calls on all City departments, commissions, boards, and agencies to take cognizance and comply with all anti-discrimination laws of the City of New Orleans.
