Arkansas appealing ruling on city's LGBT protections

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' attorney general is appealing a judge's ruling that a city ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity doesn't conflict with a state law aimed at blocking local protections for gays and lesbians.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge on Wednesday filed a notice that she was appealing a ruling by Washington County Circuit Judge Doug Martin this month upholding Fayetteville's anti-discrimination ordinance. Martin ruled that the ordinance ratified by voters last year doesn't run afoul of a state measure barring cities and counties from prohibiting discrimination on a basis not contained in state law.

Arkansas' civil rights law doesn't include sexual orientation or gender identity.

Fayetteville is among several Arkansas cities that have passed anti-discrimination measures aimed at challenging that law, which legislators approved last year.

By ANDREW DeMILLO, Associated Press. Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Gayly - 3/30/2016 @ 12:04 p.m. CST