Shreveport, Louisiana is now the second city in the state (joining New Orleans), to pass a "fairness ordinance" protecting LGBT people, the Times-Picayune reports:
While state law does not bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, Shreveport voted 6-1 on Tuesday to pass a local ordinance banning discrimination based on these factors as well as race, color, sex, disability, age, ancestry, national origin and political or religious identification.
City Councilman Ron Webb of District E cast the dissenting vote.
Councilman Jeff Everson, who co-authored the ordinance with Councilman Oliver Jenkins, hailed the panel's bipartisan support for the change, adding, "we now join the ranks of cities in our region like Dallas, Ft. Worth, New Orleans and Austin in recognizing that Shreveport values equal protection and tolerance."