Baton Rouge Rep To Introduce Gay, Transgender Anti-Discrimination Legislation

Rep. Austin Badon will hold a press conference Monday morning at which he will publicly introduce House Bill 612, what he calls the "Louisiana Anti-Discrimination Act". The Baton Rouge Democrat will be joined by members the Forum for Equality Louisiana.

According to Badon's office, the bill "seeks to add prohibition against discrimination for sexual orientation and gender identity or expression into existing laws against discrimination. It also adds language prohibiting age, sex or disability discrimination to a number of provisions of existing law."

Said Badon, "I am proud to be able to offer this legislation and be a voice for all of those who have been discriminated against. Discrimination in any form is patriotically wrong.”

Sarah Jane Brady of the Forum for Equality Louisiana added, "Most people are surprised to learn that their family member or friend could be fired simply because of who they are and whom they love. This is fundamentally unfair and must be expanded to protect all Louisianans, including the gay and transgender community."