Arkansas officials seek to deny subpoenas in LGBT anti-discrimination case

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Attorneys for a northwest Arkansas city and LGBT rights supporters say state officials are trying to dramatically expand legislative and executive privilege by seeking to block subpoenas issued in the court fight over local anti-discrimination measures.

The city of Fayetteville and the American Civil Liberties Union asked a Washington County judge this week to deny the state's bid to cancel the subpoenas issued related to a state law preventing Fayetteville and other cities from approving local anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The state Supreme Court struck down Fayetteville's anti-discrimination ordinance this year, saying it violates the law. But justices didn't rule on the constitutionality of the law itself. The state has called the subpoenas too broad.

By ANDREW DeMILLO, Associated Press