Politics

Louisiana's "Don't Say Gay" bill and other anti-LGBTQ+ legislation nearing approval

Illustration of the stripes of the Pride flag falling onto the ground.

Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios

Three bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community are heading to Gov. John Bel Edwards' desk after amended versions passed in Senate and House this week.

  • "Don't Say Gay": The so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill (House Bill 466) prohibits discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in K-12 public schools.
  • Health care: House Bill 648 bans gender-affirming health care, such as hormone treatments or puberty-blocking drugs, to anyone younger than 18.
  • Pronouns: House Bill 81, called the "Given Name Act" by its author, restricts students' preferred names and pronouns.

New Orleans mayor heads to South Korea for conference

Photo illustration of LaToya Cantrell with lines radiating from her.

Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Kaitlyn Morris/Getty Images

Mayor LaToya Cantrell is heading to South Korea this week to participate in the 2023 World Climate Industry Expo.

Driving the news: Cantrell's international travel in the past has sparked criticism that eventually led to her repaying nearly $29,000 for upgrades, such as first-class airfare to France.

Online tools help New Orleans residents check on catch basins, road projects and crime

Photo illustration of New Orleans City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Chelsea Brasted/Axios

The city of New Orleans is adding to its collection of online tools to help you find answers on things important to your neighborhood, from road construction to when your block’s catch basin was cleaned last.

Why it matters: No one likes to sit on hold or be transferred to five different departments. The online tools make it easy to find information on your own terms.

Latest on anti-LGBTQ+ bills in Louisiana: "Don't Say Gay" advances

Illustration of the stripes of the Pride flag falling onto the ground.

Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios

Louisiana representatives on Tuesday passed a "Don't Say Gay" bill, advancing it to the Senate with a vote of 67-28.

Driving the news: House Bill 466 prohibits K-12 public school employees from teaching or discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom.

Book banning efforts get closer to New Orleans

Illustration of a bookshelf with rainbow-colored books wrapped in "do not enter" yellow tape.

Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios

The national book ban debate is encroaching on New Orleans, with Jefferson Parish Library and St. Tammany Library leaders both now reviewing books after complaints were made about LGTBQ+ content and other titles.

Why it matters: The New Orleans Public Library has so far not been targeted by efforts seen elsewhere in the state to ban or restrict books, library officials tell Axios.

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