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La. Senate Defeats Gay Rights Bill
May 24, 2001
Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Legislation outlawing employment discrimination against gay and lesbian employees was defeated in the Louisiana Senate after a polite but sometimes emotional debate.

"If we fail today, we will be back again in the next session, " the bill's sponsor, state Sen. Don Cravins, said just before Wednesday's 14-21 vote against the measure.

Cravins' bill would have outlawed discrimination in hiring, firing or promoting anyone on the basis of "actual or perceived sexual orientation. "

Cravins said some lawmakers supported the idea but admitted to him they could not vote for it, because it would cost them political support.

While Senate committee debate included views from religious opponents of the bill, opposition on the floor centered around the practicality of the bill.

State Sen. Bill Jones said the bill was unworkable since it created a protected class and proving someone is a member of that class would be based solely on that person's claim.

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