New Orleans Mayor Blasts Jindal With Counter Executive Order

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu responded to Gov. Bobby Jindal's controversial religious objections executive order by issuing an order of his own.

It reaffirms that the city has banned acts of discrimination for numerous reasons, including sexual orientation or gender identification.

Landrieu says New Orleans is an "accepting and inviting" city.

Landrieu's order comes after a Jindal-backed religious objections bill died in a House committee this week. Critics say it would have sanctioned discrimination against same-sex couples if gay marriage becomes legal.

Supporters say the bill was needed to protect people opposed to same-sex marriage for religious reasons.

Jindal's order seeks to enforce the spirit of the failed bill, which would have curtailed the state's ability to punish those who discriminate against same-sex couples.

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