Louisiana governor to rescind former gov's executive order on religious liberty

Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana will repeal an executive order issued by former governor Bobby Jindal that gives religious liberties to those who go against same-sex unions.

"Governor Edwards will issue the executive order, but it is in the drafting stage," said press secretary Shauna Sanford to Deadline. "As far as Jindal's religious liberty order, the governor intends to rescind it in the near future."

Executive Order BJ 15-8, titled Marriage and Conscience Order, says in part that no adverse action should be taken by the government against those who, on the basis of their religion, believe that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and "that this principle not be construed to authorize any act of discrimination."

The order, which was signed in May, in essence allows people and businesses to refuse services to members of the LGBT community if it goes against their religion. It also protects those who object to same-sex marriage from being denied tax exemption, employment, loan, among other things, because of their religious stance.

It was issued after the House decided against a religious freedom bill, the Marriage and Conscience Act.

Edwards, however, will repeal this and create a new one in its place that will require contractors to put non-discrimination clauses.

According to Sanford, as quoted by the Christian News Network, "He is going to issue an executive order that state contractors have a non-discrimination clause because he does not believe that it is right for anyone to be discriminated against because of their race, their gender, their sexual orientation."

"In terms of what he will instruct the Attorney General's office to do is follow the law," said Sanford. "The governor does not want anyone to be forced to do anything they don't want to do, within the confines of the law."