Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed an executive order on Wednesday that prevents businesses from being able to discriminate against LGBT individuals, NBC News reported.
Edwards’ order overturned another executive order protecting the practice that was advanced by his predecessor and failed presidential candidate Bobby Jindal.
Edwards said that Jindal’s order would “create a hostile environment for our current and prospective employees,” NBC reported. Edwards reportedly said Jindal’s order was “bad for business, tourism and the Louisiana economy.”
Louisiana does not have a law protecting LGBT individuals from discrimination, but Edwards’ order protects state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender among other factors.
Edwards’ rule comes after North Carolina passed a law that prevented local governments from passing laws that would protect LGBT individuals from discrimination. The law has received some backlash, with businesses condemning it and a bipartisan group of senators asking for the NBA All Star game to be moved from the state.
