Arkansas asks that city's LGBT rights ordinance be blocked

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Andrew Demillo, Associated Press
Updated 5:30 pm, Friday, July 28, 2017


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas asked a judge Friday to block enforcement of a city ordinance that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, months after the state's highest court ruled the measure violated a law aimed at prohibiting local LGBT protections.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and a group opposed to the Fayetteville anti-discrimination ordinance asked Washington County Circuit Judge Doug Martin to issue a preliminary injunction against the measure. The state Supreme Court in February reversed a ruling that the ordinance didn't violate a state law prohibiting cities from enacting protections not covered by state law. Arkansas' civil rights law doesn't cover sexual orientation or gender identity.

Justices sent the case back to Martin's court and said they couldn't rule on the state law's constitutionality since it wasn't addressed in the lower court. Rutledge and Protect Fayetteville said in the court filing that the fight over the law's constitutionality could take months to resolve, so the local ordinance should be blocked in the meantime.
 
"If a preliminary injunction is not issued, enforcement of Fayetteville Ordinance 5781 will prevent the state of Arkansas from fully implementing the purpose and goals of the Interstate Commerce Improvement Act," the filing said. "Prevention of the state's policy of statewide uniformity in antidiscrimination law constitutes irreparable harm."

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Arkansas-asks-that-city-s-LGBT-rights-ordinance-11656112.php

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Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge

[Matthew28]

1. There isn't a ounce of difference

between these so called christians and the isis. It is truly sad.

[lark]

7. They rail about Sharia law, but amazingly don't recognize

that this is exactly what they are promoting - the tealiban or far right christian version of making their personal beliefs law.

[RhodeIslandOne]

2. Please let us discriminate

What a position to take.

[Cracklin Charlie]

6. Just to add:

Legal discrimination allows them to air their hate publicly, while still qualifying for those sweet, sweet federal dollars.

Just my opinion.

[msongs]

3. republican jesus. next up making black people rights illegal nt

[Crowman2009]

4. More states rights hypocrisy.

Doesn't like the federal govt. telling them what to do. But has the complete opposite attitude when it comes to municipal governments.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. As a resident of Fayetteville, I say Rutledge can go to hell.