Large protest held in downtown Shreveport against anti-LGBTQ+ bills

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Peaceful protests were held in downtown Shreveport against the onslaught of bills against LGBTQ+ rights.

On May 20, dozens of LGBTQ+ rights activists marched gathered on Texas Street in front of the courthouse to protest against the onslaught of bills being submitted in Louisiana against LGBTQ+ rights. The protest was being held by Rainbow PAC, a political action coalition.

“We’re just here to fight for our rights and for what we believe we deserve which is a happy life just like everybody else that lives in this country,” Sam Ortiz, a protestor, said.

The group marched around the Caddo Parish Courthouse with poster signs in hand chanting in frustration to bills that if passed would impact the LGBTQ+ community.

“Trans kids deserve to live. They deserve to feel safe; they deserve to have a community and should be able to say ‘hey I am me, and that’s ok,’” Ashford Clain, a protestor, said.

Bills like Republican Representative Dodie Horton’s “DON’T SAY LGBTQ+” bill would censor teachers and students from speaking about LGBTQ+-related topics in schools. The bill passed the Louisiana House earlier this month and will go to the Senate for consideration.

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