Louisiana
Accountability for the Louisiana Democratic Party’s failure to defend LGBTQ+ rights
A Pride flag reads “Abide No Hatred” is hung at the entrance of Castaways, venue for the third annual SWLA Pride Fest weekend, June 10-12, in Big Lake. (Photo courtesy of Pride of SWLA)
To the Democrats of Louisiana:
I publicly acknowledge my failure as an elected official to effectively defend my own community – the LGBTQ+ community – and, in doing so, I have also failed to uphold equality for all.
This past Saturday in Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Democratic Party LGBTQ+ Caucus introduced a resolution at the DSCC meeting. The resolution called on the state party to align with the national Democratic platform in protecting LGBTQ+ rights and to commit “to not endorsing or supporting Democratic candidates or officeholders who use their votes or their public platform to deny fundamental rights and protections to LGBTQI+ citizens.”
Ultimately, the majority of those present voted for an amended version that removed this key line. In other words, our party deliberately chose to weaken a resolution meant to hold accountable legislators and candidates who actively harm the LGBTQ+ community.
I understand that some who voted for the amendment did so out of fear that the resolution might not pass in its original form. However, the end result remains the same: the Louisiana Democratic Party opted to strip language that simply sought to uphold fundamental equality.
By removing this line, we have implicitly stated the inverse – that we are open to “endorsing or supporting Democratic candidates or officeholders who use their votes or their public platform to deny fundamental rights and protections to LGBTQI+ citizens.”
As Democrats, would we allow this for any other marginalized group? Would we tolerate party support for candidates who attack Black and brown people, immigrants, women, or those with disabilities? Defending and uplifting marginalized communities is a core tenet of our party – yet in this moment, we have failed to uphold it.
This failure is not hypothetical. Here in Louisiana, the only state that has never had an openly LGBTQ+ legislator, some of our own Democratic legislators have publicly supported and even sponsored legislation that strips away LGBTQ+ rights. Meanwhile, The Guardian reported last week that “Republican lawmakers in Montana voted en masse to help defeat two extreme anti-trans bills in an unprecedented move on Thursday, after powerful speeches from two trans representatives imploring them to reject the latest intent to criminalize gender nonconformity.”
The contrast is stark, and it forces us to ask: what kind of Democratic Party do we want to be?
The willingness to abandon marginalized communities is not limited to Louisiana. Nationally, some factions of the Democratic Party are veering away from progressive values in favor of donor and consultant-class interests. As Sam Rosenthal wrote in Common Dreams on March 5, 2024, “The party is very much at a crossroads: It can embrace progressivism and forge a new, compelling identity or it can take cues from the donor and consultant class and embrace the very policies that precipitated our current political crisis.”
The LGBTQ+ community is under relentless attack across the country. States including our own, have passed laws restricting gender-affirming care, banning transgender athletes from sports, and criminalizing discussions of LGBTQ+ topics in schools. There are efforts to redefine sex discrimination laws, weaken workplace and health care protections, and enable religious exemptions that justify discrimination.
Book bans, drag performance restrictions and inflammatory rhetoric fuel hostility, putting lives at risk. Already this year, legislators in nine states are working to overturn same-sex marriage. Last week, Texas introduced legislation that would criminalize simply being transgender, labeling it as “gender identity fraud.”
What is happening to transgender and queer people is the writing on the wall, and I am begging you to read it. We must demand more from our party. If we cannot hold our own to the most basic standard of equality, then what do we stand for?
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PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.
ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.
Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.
ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.
Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.
After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.
Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.
According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.
A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.
“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.
Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.
Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.
“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.
Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.
Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing
07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing
6-8-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing
3-6-7-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing
0-8-3-2-0
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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