Future Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards stated he wants to issue a protective law for LGBT employees when he takes office in January. It is currently legal to fire someone based on his or her sexual orientation in Louisiana (New Orleans and Shreveport have exceptions). Including Louisiana, it is currently legal to fire someone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity in 18 states.
“I would characterize it as a landslide, certainly, for a Democrat in a state like Louisiana,” Robert Hogan, a political scientist with Louisiana State University, said regarding the election.
Edwards beat his opponent, Sen. David Vitter, in a shocking election in which he received 56 percent of the state’s votes. Louisiana has not elected a Democrat to any statewide office since 2008.
