La. Lawmakers Reject Housing Anti-Discrimination Bill

Attempts to advance gay rights legislation took another blow in the Louisiana Legislature.

The House Commerce Committee on Monday voted 12-3 to kill a measure that would have prohibited housing discrimination against gays, among others.

Under the proposal by Baton Rouge Rep. Pat Smith, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, source of income, domestic abuse victim status and conviction record would have been added to the list of characteristics a property owner could not use to deny housing.

Opposition came from the conservative Louisiana Family Forum who argued only "morally neutral" characteristics deserve protection.

Smith closed the hearing with a quote from the Pope about treating all people fairly, but that wasn't enough to garner votes.