The Louisiana Legislature is back in session and as usual, LGBTQ+ rights are under attack. Conservative North Louisiana legislators have filed a number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. The New Orleans delegation in Baton Rouge and Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards are the only lines of defense against the repressive legislation. New Orleans representatives have introduced three bills defending and expanding LGBTQ+ rights.
Senate Bill 44, introduced by Beth Mizell (R—Franklinton), is essentially a rehash of a bill that was passed last year and vetoed by Gov. Edwards. The bill seeks to enshrine anti-trans discrimination by protecting schools who prohibit trans girls from participating in girls athletics.
House Bill 570, introduced by Michael Firment (R—Pollock), targets trans youth by prohibiting healthcare to people under eighteen years old who wish to learn about or begin transitioning.
House Bill 837, introduced by Dodie Horton (R—Haughton), would prohibit discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools. This is Louisiana’s version of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill recently passed in Florida.
On the bright side:
House Bill 605, introduced by Royce Duplessis (D—New Orleans), Mandie Landry (D—New Orleans), and Aimee Freeman (D—New Orleans), bans conversion therapy.
House Bill 439, introduced by Delisha Boyd (D—New Orleans) and Mandie Landry (D—New Orleans), prohibits employment discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
House Bill 303, introduced by Aimee Freeman (D—New Orleans) prohibits discriminatory housing practices based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
To express your opinion concerning the aforementioned legislation, contact information is provided below.
Beth Mizell (SB 44) Anti-Trans athletics | 1051 Main Street Franklinton, LA 70438 | (985)839-3936 | mizellb@legis.la.gov
Michael “Gabe” Firment (HB 570) Anti-Trans healthcare | 181 Barron Road Pollock, LA 71467-3643 Mailing: P. O. Box 640 Pollock, LA 71467 | (318) 765-9606 | hse022@legis.la.gov
Dodie Horton (HB 837) Don’t Say Gay | 954 Hwy. 80 Suite 400 Haughton, LA 71037 | (318) 949-2463 | hortond@legis.la.gov
Royce Duplessis (HB 605) Bans Conversion Therapy | 643 Magazine Street Suite 302 New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 568-2741 | duplessisr@legis.la.gov
Mandie Landry (HB 605) Bans Conversion Therapy | (HB 439) Prohibits Employment Discrimination | 3915 Baronne Street Unit 1 New Orleans, LA 70115 | (504) 895-2526 | hse091@legis.la.gov
Delisha Boyd (HB 439) Prohibits Employment Discrimination | 3401 General De Gaulle Drive, Suite 5076 New Orleans, LA 70114 | 504-605-5622 | hse102@legis.la.gov
Aimee Freeman (HB 303) Prohibits Housing Discrimination | P.O. Box 850901 New Orleans, LA 70185 | (504) 861-1614 | hse098@legis.la.gov
Contact information for the entire Louisiana Legislature may be found here:
https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/H_Reps_FullInfo
