Dispute over Gov. Jindal’s executive order on same-sex marriage is a ‘political disagreement,’

Attorneys for Gov. Bobby Jindal are asking a Baton Rouge state judge to throw out a legal challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union and other gay rights supporters to his May 19 executive order that carves out protections for those who oppose same-sex marriage.

Jindal has said the “Marriage and Conscience Order” applies only to the executive branch and will prevent the state from denying or revoking tax exemptions and deductions, contracts and other agreements on the basis of opposition of same-sex marriage.

A June 30 lawsuit by the ACLU and other gay rights proponents alleges the governor’s executive order creates a protected class of people who oppose same-sex marriage.

In court papers filed Tuesday, Jindal lawyers Thomas Enright and Kyle Duncan ask state District Judge Todd Hernandez to dismiss the suit, arguing there is no controversy that the court can resolve. They also contend the suit’s allegations are merely speculative, and that the taxpayer plaintiffs have no right to challenge the order.

Read more: http://theadvocate.com/news/13278985-123/dispute-over-gov-jindals-executive