Many lawmakers don’t want to talk about it. Others wish it would simply disappear.
Nonetheless, on Tuesday, the House civil law committee is scheduled to debate the religious objections bill backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal that thrust Louisiana into a national debate over religious freedom and the rights of same-sex couples.
As The Associated Press reports, the proposed law would prohibit the state from denying individuals, businesses and nonprofits any licenses, benefits, jobs or tax deductions because of action taken “in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction” about marriage.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, the measure stirred controversy before the legislative session even began. Supporters say it would protect the religious views of those who believe marriage should be between a man and woman, while critics have said it will sanction discrimination against same-sex couples.
Backlash to similar efforts in Indiana and Arkansas prompted changes to those laws.
Jindal, who is courting Christian conservatives for a likely presidential campaign, made the bill a priority. Meanwhile, some businesses oppose the measure, including IBM, which has plans for an 800-worker facility in Baton Rouge.
Until recently, however, it was unclear if the bill would get a hearing. Many lawmakers—including Republican Senate President John Alario, who is opposed—have said they would rather focus on the state’s $1.6 billion budget shortfall. Aside from Johnson, Rep. Patrick Jefferson, D-Arcadia, was the only other committee member who responded to a request for comment on the upcoming hearing from The AP.
“All of us have the right to file whatever bill we want,” Jefferson says. “I would just say that it could have happened at another time.”
Same-sex couples are not allowed to marry under Louisiana’s constitution, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman, and there are no specific legal protections from discrimination for gays and lesbians. But Johnson says one reason he proposed the law is because a U.S. Supreme Court case could soon strike down same-sex marriage bans across the country.
What his bill will—and won’t—do is subject to intense debate.
