Lawmakers have rejected a measure that would have made it illegal to refuse to sell or lease property to same-sex couples in Louisiana solely because they are gay, the latest setback for groups trying to advance gay rights legislation in the state. Three Democrats joined nine Republicans on the House Commerce Committee in rejecting the measure Monday 12-3. None said specifically why they voted against House Bill 871.
HB871 by state Rep. Pat Smith, D-Baton Rouge, would have added sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, source of income, domestic abuse victim status and conviction record to the list of characteristics a property owner could not use to deny someone housing.
The committee had previously rejected a similar proposal by state Rep. Jared Brossett, D-New Orleans, seeking to protect gays from housing discrimination.
Opposition to Smith’s legislation came from…
