2025 Louisiana Legislative Session:
What You Need to Know

The Louisiana Legislative Session runs from April 14, 2025 through June 12, 2025.

Monitoring Pre-Filled Bills for the 2025 Legislative Session

As we approach the upcoming legislative session, Forum for Equality remains dedicated to closely monitoring pre-filed bills to assess their potential impact on the LGBTQ+ community. At this time, no bills have been pre-filed that directly affect the rights or protections of LGBTQ+ individuals. However, we urge everyone to stay vigilant as the session unfolds. If any legislation that negatively impacts our community is introduced, Forum for Equality stands ready to respond aggressively and fight for the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people.

Two bills that may indirectly affect the LGBTQ+ community and have caught our attention are HB5 and HB76. HB5 seeks to increase penalties for individuals who solicit prostitution, or 'sex buyers.' While the bill may seem to target illegal activities, its broader implications for vulnerable communities—particularly transgender women—raise concerns.

Transgender women, who already face disproportionate levels of violence and marginalization, make up a significant portion of the sex work industry. By imposing harsher penalties on sex buyers, HB5 could push these workers further into harm's way, worsening an already perilous situation. Targeting sex buyers doesn't eliminate the demand; it merely drives the industry into more dangerous spaces, where the most vulnerable—particularly trans women—are at greater risk.

Forum for Equality is committed to advocating for policies that protect the most marginalized within our community. If HB5 or similar legislation advances, we will be ready to take action and fight for the safety and well-being of all LGBTQ+ individuals, especially trans women who are disproportionately affected by this kind of legislation.

The second bill we’re watching is HB76, which aims to criminalize the intentional exposure of STIs. We’re closely monitoring this bill, as similar legislation in the past has often targeted our communities.

Stay alert and stay informed. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on legislative developments. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard, and that harmful bills are challenged every step of the way.