Mississippi Signs in Next Anti-LGBT Law

Mississippi Governor Bryant signed a new law "protecting the already existing rights of religious people to express their deeply-held beliefs". The new law prevents the government from punishing religious organizations, charities, and private business owners for denying employment, products or services to people that disagree with their religion.

The law also permits religious people to cite their religion as a reason to discriminate any person.

From Gov. Phil Bryant:

“I am signing HB 1523 into law to protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of individuals, organizations and private associations from discriminatory action by state government or its political subdivisions, which would include counties, cities and institutions of higher learning. This bill merely reinforces the rights which currently exist to the exercise of religious freedom as stated in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This bill doe snot limit any constitutionally protected rights or actions of any citizen of this state under federal or state laws. It does not attempt to challenge federal laws, even those which are in conflict with the Mississippi Constitution, as the Legislature recognizes the prominence of federal law in such limited circumstances.The legislation is designed in the most targeted manner possible to prevent government interference in the lives of the people from which all power to the state is derived.”

From the American Civil Liberties Union:

"This is a sad day for the state of Mississippi and for the thousands of Mississippians who can now be turned away from businesses, refused marriage licenses, or denied housing, essential services and needed care based on who they are. This bill flies in the face of the basic American principles of fairness, justice and equality and will not protect anyone's religious liberty. Far from protecting anyone from 'government discrimination' as the bill claims, it is an attack on the citizens of our state, and it will serve as the Magnolia State's badge of shame."

https://www.rawstory.com/2016/04/mississippi-governor-signs-anti-gay-religious-freedom-bill-into-law/

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-mississippi-law-service-denial-gays-20160405-story.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mississippi-governor-phil-bryant-signs-law-allowing-service-denial-to-gays/