BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) 鈥 Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards blocked a package of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation from becoming law Friday, including the state's version of what critics call Florida's 鈥淒on't Say Gay鈥 bill and a ban on gender-affirming medical care for young transgender people.
The effort by Republicans to enact the legislation into Louisiana law is likely far from over. Multiple GOP state lawmakers say they anticipate convening for a veto session mid-July in an attempt to override the governor's decision.
Louisiana鈥檚 culture divide over LGBTQ+-related legislation echoes what has been seen in GOP-led statehouses across the country. have topped conservative agendas, and LGBTQ+ advocates say a is happening on their community. This year alone, more than 525 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in 41 states, according to data collected by the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization.
During the waning days of Louisiana鈥檚 legislative session, lawmakers passed a series of controversial bills: a that includes puberty-blockers, hormone treatment and surgery; a that broadly bars teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation in public school classrooms; and a measure requiring public school teachers to Edwards vetoed all three bills.
Edwards 鈥 who is in his final six months of office, unable to seek reelection this year due to consecutive term limits 鈥 has repeatedly described the bills as wrong, divisive and targeting a vulnerable group of people.
State lawmakers will soon decide by majority vote whether they will return to the Capitol for a veto session, which would begin July 18. Although Louisiana has only held two such sessions since 1974, it seems increasingly realistic that one will occur this year. Multiple GOP lawmakers from both chambers have said they anticipate the gathering.
Once in special session, a two-thirds approval from both the House and Senate is needed to override the governor鈥檚 decision. Republicans currently hold a two-thirds majority in both chambers. Additionally, during the regular session, all three bills passed with more than a two-thirds vote 鈥 largely along party lines.
Marked by misinformation, religious arguments and hours of emotional testimony from the LGBTQ+ community, one of the most discussed bills was the ban on gender-affirming care 鈥 something that has been available in the United States for more than a decade and is endorsed by major medical associations. At one point, the bill was presumed dead after a veteran However, amid from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is a GOP gubernatorial frontrunner, and the Republican Party of Louisiana, .
At least 20 states, including all three bordering Louisiana, have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. Most of those states face lawsuits.
A federal judge as unconstitutional, and federal judges have temporarily blocked bans in , Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. has agreed to not enforce its ban while opponents seek a temporary court order blocking it. A federal judge has from enforcing its ban on three children who have challenged the law.
The Louisiana legislature also passed a bill broadly banning K-12 public school employees in Louisiana from . It is similar to that critics dubbed 鈥淒on鈥檛 Say Gay.鈥 So far, three other states 鈥 Alabama, Arkansas and Iowa 鈥 have enacted similar laws, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Additionally, lawmakers passed legislation requiring Louisiana public school teachers to Under the bill, a parent can give written consent for pronouns not consistent with the student鈥檚 sex assigned at birth to be used. A teacher can override the parent鈥檚 request 鈥渋f doing so would violate the employee鈥檚 sincerely held religious beliefs.鈥
Republicans maintain that they are trying to protect children with these bills. Opponents argue it would do the opposite, leading to heightened risks of stress, depression and suicidal thoughts among an already vulnerable group.
