Woman denied service for being gay in NOLA despite Gov. Edwards' wishes

In April, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards issued an executive order banning discrimination in state government based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Edwards' LGBT protection order prohibits state agencies, boards and contractors from harassment or discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, disability or age. State contracts will be required to include a similar anti-discrimination provision.

If only this order applied to Family Dollar.

Another one does, however; in 1991 a Human Rights Ordinance was passed by New Orleans City Council protecting lesbian and gay people against discrimination in housing and employment in Orleans Parish.

In 1998 Protections for transgender people were added to the Human Rights Ordinance.

Canal Street, New Orleans, is known for its eccentric wanderers and eclectic culture. To be seen as off-kilter is not abnormal there.

New Orleans is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community – typically.

Melissa Langford, a New Orleans local, was denied service by a Family Dollar employee because she was gay.

Her experience is forever sealed on her Facebook, where she wrote:

“It started off with the cashier loudly voicing her opinion on how much she hates gay people (as I casually stand in line realizing what she's saying). After five or six minutes (or at least it felt like that long) of listening to her yell and preach to each customer about how "gay people need to get 'the fuck', they got somethin wrong in they head, *edit* that she had the right to refuse service to anyone she wants, gays are sick" etc, I started to writhe away internally. I wanted to cry right then and there. In fact, I'm crying right now... cuz yall didn't hear the hateful passion in her voice. She was so loud, so cruel, so uneducated... selfish and just outright mean... anyways....

I spoke up.
I said, "excuse me, but im very very gay and you're really offending me. Think what u want but keep it to yourself."

She. Flipped. Out. Went totally off. An exchange of words passed between us, and her and the guy in line ahead of me (which she denied service to as well cuz he was defending gay people).

Once I pulled out my camera, she toned it down but, as u can see, she went as far as leaving the counter and goin by the exit just to not serve my gay ass. U can hear her say it. The conviction is all over but you get the gist of it.

Im really upset. This is the worst antigay shit ive ever had to deal with in my 34 years.”

Gov. Edwards' words were nearly lost in a sea of discrimination for Langford. He said upon issuing the order, "We are fortunate enough to live in a state that is rich with diversity, and we are built on a foundation of unity and fairness for all of our citizens.

"We respect our fellow citizens for their beliefs, but we do not discriminate based on our disagreements."

But Langford’s story has since gone viral on the internet and several news sources have covered it.

Public outrage and support have ensued.

The Gayly – 4/25/2016 @ 1:09 p.m. CDT