March 28th, 2023

Dear Friends,

Louisiana Representative Raymond Crews has filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session called the “Given Name Act” which would require school employees to use a student’s given name and corresponding biological pronouns unless written parental consent said otherwise. According to Crews, the act aims to help teachers who are in a difficult position when students choose names or pronouns that their parents are not aware of. The act also aims to give parents a closer involvement in their children’s decisions.

Crews has reported receiving encouraging responses from both educators and legislators. It's worth noting that the Louisiana legislature's usual session starts on April 10th.

If you're interested in participating in LFF's efforts to create an impact in 2023 and want to discuss legislative priorities for the upcoming session, then this is the perfect opportunity. You can reserve your spot for LFF's Legislative Briefing on April 18th by RSVPing here.

Conservative think tank Heritage Foundation and former Vice President Mike Pence's advocacy organization, Advancing American Freedom, has sued the US Department of Justice over what they describe as an inadequate response to violence against churches and pro-life pregnancy centers. The lawsuit maintains that the agency has not done enough to address violence directed at these institutions in recent years, including some that have been firebombed. There have been at least 57 incidents of church vandalism from January to September 2022 directly tied to pro-abortion protests or containing pro-abortion messages.

The plaintiffs are asking the US District Court for the District of Columbia to order the DOJ to produce all relevant documents within 20 days of the court order.

A weaponized Department of Justice is bad for all Americans!

On Sunday, believers from a variety of churches gathered under the direction of Pastor Lee Shipp from First New Testament Church in Baton Rouge to pray for Louisiana, its families, and our elected officials as they prepare for the upcoming legislative session.

I had the privilege of sharing my original poem, entitled "I am Louisiana," at the event before offering a prayer for my beloved home. You can listen to the reading here.

We were moved by the heartfelt prayers of many, including EBR Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, AG Jeff Landry (pictured below), Senate President Pro Tempore Beth Mizell (pictured below), Rep. Rick Edmonds, Rep. Valarie Hodges, Rep. Barry Ivey, and countless others.

Our gathering was blessed as inclement weather bypassed our time of prayer!

Let us also come together in prayer for those in need:

• Our hearts are heavy as we lift up Pastor Chad Scruggs and his wife Jada, who are going through an unimaginable tragedy. Pastor Scruggs' daughter Hallie was among those killed in the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville yesterday. We ask for comfort and strength for this family, and for all those who have been impacted by this senseless act of violence. We also pray for the protection of our children and school faculty members across our nation. #LordHelpUs

• We also pray for the families of Baton Rouge police officers, Sgt. David Poirrier and Cpl. Scotty Canezaro, who tragically lost their lives in a car chase and helicopter crash on Sunday night. We lift up their loved ones during this difficult time, asking for Your peace and comfort to surround them.

Let us turn to Psalm 23, finding solace in these words:

"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Friend,,  have you heard about the Keep Louisiana Pro-Life Bus Tour? Louisiana Right to Life is on a mission to promote the sanctity of life and provide support to women in need through a state-wide tour featuring a BIG pro-life RV. 

Find your local tour stop and attend a one-hour event where you can hear from state and local speakers who will inspire you to defend life and make a positive difference in your community. Their commitment to keeping pro-life laws in place is a testament to their unwavering dedication towards creating a better future for all!

In His Service,

Gene Mills
President, Louisiana Family Forum