Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards'
order protecting LGBT workers has been declared unconstitutional by a
Louisiana judge.
Judge Todd Hernandez threw out the
order on Wednesday, saying that it is “a violation of the Louisiana
Constitution's separation of powers doctrine and an unlawful usurp of
the constitutional authority vested in the legislative branch of the
government,” Reuters
reported.
Edwards issued his order in July. It
prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and
gender identity among state agencies and contractors doing business
with the state. Religious organizations are exempt.
The state's conservative attorney
general, Republican Jeff Laundry, has challenged Edwards' order and
applauded the judge's opinion.
(Related: Louisiana
AG Jeff Landry can block state contracts that include LGBT
protections, judge says.)
Edwards expressed his disappointment in
a statement and said that the ruling would be appealed.