LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An Arkansas lawmaker says he’s dropping his proposal to expand Arkansas’ anti-discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Democratic Rep. Greg Leding of Fayetteville on Tuesday said he was withdrawing his bill to add the protections to state law addressing discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The state law currently includes race, religion, national origin, gender and disability.

Leding said he wants the Legislature to study the issue further, but said there aren’t enough votes to pass his bill.

Arkansas lawmakers last month approved prohibiting cities and counties from enacting ordinances that prohibit discrimination on a basis not contained in state law. The measure was in response to a now-repealed Fayetteville ordinance that included protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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