By ANDREW DEMILLO, Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Little Rock officials have voted to require companies contracting with the city to not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity, challenging a new Arkansas law criticized as anti-gay.

The city's board on Tuesday approved the ordinance, which prohibits the city and its vendors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Arkansas earlier this year became the second state to bar local governments from adopting anti-discrimination ordinances that include gender identity or sexual orientation. The law doesn't apply to a city or county ordinance that only applies to its employees.

Little Rock officials say they believe their measure complies with the state law.