Editing Lafayette, Louisiana (section)

=== Sexual orientation and gender identity ===
 
While in the predominantly conservative [[Southern United States|southern U.S.]], Lafayette has maintained a substantial [[Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender|lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender]] community since at least 1969, when some members of the Mystic Krewe of Apollo, a gay cultural, social, and service organization in New Orleans, arrived in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LGBTQ+ Rights Movement in Louisiana|url=https://64parishes.org/entry/lgbtq-rights-movement-in-louisiana|access-date=2021-11-13|website=64 Parishes|language=en}}</ref> The area's LGBT population have described [[Acadiana]] as "welcoming," though some members of the community in the 1970s declined to be photographed at public and private LGBT events.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-01|title=Glitter and Be Gay|url=https://64parishes.org/glitter-and-be-gay|access-date=2021-11-13|website=64 Parishes|language=en}}</ref> While regarded as welcoming, Lafayette's government was once under the [[Human Rights Campaign|Human Rights Campaign Foundation]]'s focus regarding non-discrimination in city employment; a local government spokesperson responded with reports of no complaints from the local LGBT community.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stickney|first=Ken|title=Study: Lafayette doesn't do enough to support LGBTQ community|url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2017/10/20/does-lafayette-fail-lgbtq-community-study-says-we-trail/785177001/|access-date=2021-11-13|website=The Daily Advertiser|publisher=Gannett|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, the community celebrated the second annual Pride Acadiana.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=Downtown Lafayette celebrates 2nd annual Pride Acadiana |url=https://www.klfy.com/local/lafayette-parish/downtown-lafayette-celebrates-2nd-annual-pride-acadiana/ |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=KLFY.com |language=en-US}}</ref>