Governor Edwards Continues His Legal Fight to Protect Rights of LGBT Residents

Governor John Bel Edwards is defending his executive order that tries to protect the rights of LGBT people in state government. The Governor claims a judge made a mistake in ruling he overstepped his legal authority.

Edwards filed a challenge of Judge Todd Hernandez' ruling in a Baton Rouge-based appeals court Monday.

Back in December, Hernandez ruled the governor violated Louisiana's constitutional separation of powers by banning discrimination in government and state contracts based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The judge blocked Edwards' order, in response to a lawsuit from Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry. Landry tells KEEL News the Governor clearly overstepped his authority with this executive order..

In the appeal, Edwards attorney Matthew Block says a governor has authority to set policies and direct contract terms for the executive branch of government. Block says Edwards' order was consistent with directives issued by previous governors.