Anti-Discrimination Law - LOUISIANA

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DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL

Article I, Section 12 of the Louisiana Constitution, states that "In access to public areas, accommodations, and facilities, every person shall be free from discrimination based on race, religion, or national ancestry and from arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable discrimination based on age, sex, or physical condition. The DECLARATION OF RIGHTS found in the Louisiana Constitution has as its stated purpose the securing of justice for all people and protecting individual rights including equal protection of the law and freedom of association.

The United States Supreme Court in the case of Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971), held that individuals have the constitutional right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writing or designs. The right of an individual to freedom of association has long been recognized and protected by the United States Supreme Court Thus, a person's right to wear the clothing of his choice, as well as his right to belong to any club or organization of his choice is constitutionally protected and persons or establishments who discriminate on the basis of clothing or club membership are subject to lawsuit.

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NCOM Region

REGION V : Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee

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