GetEQUAL Mississippi Travel Alert

by Brig Bagley

7 March 2014

GetEQUAL is a grassroots organization local to Mississippi that serves to fight for equality in the state. Due to a bill in the state legislature that is close to passing, one similar to the Arizona "Legalized Discrimination" act that gives special "religious freedoms". It is unclear whether it will be fully passed, and if it is, if the governor will veto it or not. The issued warning is below: 

TRAVEL ALERT – MISSISSIPPI

Effective immediately

GetEQUAL Mississippi alerts those traveling to the state of a continued risk of discrimination based upon sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The State of Mississippi does not currently protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (“LGBT”) people from being legally ejected from their hotel rooms or other places of public accommodation, and is on the cusp of passing legislation that would give business owners even more latitude to legally discriminate against minority groups. 

Those who are required to travel to Mississippi are encouraged to take the following precautions:

• Avoid traveling alone in the state.

• Only book travel at hotels which have policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Visit only known LGBT-friendly establishments, including restaurants, bars and venues.

• Be aware of your surroundings and adopt other appropriate safety measures to protect yourself while traveling.

GetEQUAL Mississippi will continue to monitor this situation and update travelers as needed.

Read more here: http://gaysaltlake.com/news/2014/03/06/getequal-mississippi-issues-lgbt-travel-alert-religious-freedom-act/