Louisiana Senate rejects religious-objections bill

[rug]

By MELINDA DESLATTE
Associated Press
Tuesday, May 24, 2016

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana’s state senators on Tuesday refused to enact a new law declaring that pastors and churches don’t have to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies or allow them in their facilities.

The Senate Judiciary B Committee voted 3-2 to shelve the bill, which had the overwhelming support of the House.

Opponents of the “Pastor Protection Act” proposal by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, said existing law offers the protections sought and the measure was unnecessary.

“I believe that we do have stringent religious freedom protections in the current law in Louisiana,” said Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans. “We don’t need this law.”

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2016/05/louisiana-senate-rejects-religious-objections-bill/