NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Angered by Mayor Ray Nagin’s endorsement of Republican Bobby Jindal in the governor’s race, the mayor’s entire advisory committee on gay and lesbian issues resigned.

“Mr. Jindal has ignored numerous requests over the last three months to meet with representatives of our community to discuss issues, including economic development and civil rights,” said a letter written by Randal M. Beach on the behalf of the Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues.

“It is unconscionable and incomprehensible to us that the mayor of Louisiana’s most richly diverse city would not only condone candidate Jindal’s actions, but would support his exclusionary campaign with an endorsement,” wrote Beach, the committee chairman.

Mayor’s spokesman Patrick Evans said in a short written statement that the resignations were accepted with regret.

“We will have a new, stronger body in place to assist with moving our city forward very soon,” Evans added.

Jindal is running against Democrat Kathleen Blanco, who has met with a group representing gays and lesbians statewide called the Louisiana League for Equality.

Blanco has said she opposes discrimination, but like Jindal has said she does not believe a new law is necessary to prohibit discrimination against gays.

Jindal has said he is entirely for equal rights and that the Louisiana League for Equality is among dozens, even hundreds of special interest groups with which he hasn’t had time to meet.

Beach, who said the League for Equality has been ignored for eight years by Gov. Mike Foster, was unsatisfied by Jindal’s explanation. Jindal worked in the Foster administration and the outgoing governor has been one of Jindal’s biggest supporters.

“While we do not expect all public officials or candidates for public office to agree with us on all issues, we strongly believe that all citizens of Louisiana deserve access to those holding and seeking public office,” Beach wrote.

New Orleans has a long reputation of diversity and tolerance in the South and the city is the home of a gay and lesbian festival called Southern Decadence, which takes place largely in the French Quarter around Labor Day.

Gays and lesbians appear to have respect as a voting block locally, evidenced by a move under the previous administration to grant benefits such as health care coverage to partners of gay and lesbian city employees.

Nagin, a business-minded Democrat, endorsed Jindal. A runoff to decide the next governor is set for Nov. 15.

The seven-member advisory committee studies the effect of proposed city and state legislation on gays and lesbians and issues findings and recommendations to the mayor. Committee members also have volunteers to offer sensitivity training at city agencies such as the police department.