BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is asking a state district judge to throw out a lawsuit that challenges Jindal’s executive order offering protections to people who oppose same-sex marriage.
Judge Todd Hernandez heard arguments Monday about Jindal’s request but did not immediately rule.
The executive order prohibits state agencies under Jindal’s control from denying licenses, benefits, contracts or tax deductions in response to actions taken because of someone’s religious belief against same-sex marriage.
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Louisiana, the Forum for Equality Foundation and six New Orleans residents are seeking to have Jindal’s order declared unconstitutional. An attorney for the plaintiffs says the governor is exceeding the bounds of his authority with the order.
Jindal’s lawyer says the gay rights advocates haven’t shown they face harm from the order.
