DEVELOPING: Mississippi Governor Signs Anti-LGBT ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Into Law
HB 1523 Writes Discrimination Into Law, Is Unconstitutional
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has just signed an extremely anti-LGBT discriminatory bill into law, despite pleadings from business and religious leaders nationwide. The Republican governor said in a statement he did so “to protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of individuals, organizations, and private associations from discriminatory action by state government.”
I have signed House Bill 1523. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/00DbgQADFt
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) April 5, 2016
University of Mississippi School of Law Professor George Cochran last week said the bill is “unconstitutional.”Â
For those unfamiliar with just how wide-sweeping the bill is, last week The Clarion-Ledger detailed that HB 1523, also known as the “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act,” would:
- prohibit the government from taking any action against religious organizations that decline to provide adoption or foster care services to married same-sex couples.
- allow physicians and other medical professionals to deny services related to sex reassignment or “psychological, counseling, or fertility services” based upon their religious beliefs
- prohibits government from taking action against employers or school officials who establish “sex-specific rules and policies concerning who may use restrooms, lockers, or dressing rooms.
- protect individuals whose sincerely held beliefs include that “sexual relations are properly reserved” to a marriage between a man and a woman, raising questions about whether single mothers could be targeted
UPDATE I: 12:59 PM EDT –
Bryant could have vetoed it and been assured there were not enough votes to override his veto. He chose not to.
UPDATE II: 1:01 PM EDT –
Some responses via Twitter:Â
Just a shame Mississippi has tarnished its otherwise stellar civil rights record. 👀
— Jeremy Hooper (@goodasyou) April 5, 2016
Shame on @PhilBryantMS for legislating hate. There is no biblical support for #HB1523. It’s anti-LGBT animus, pure and simple.
— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) April 5, 2016
@PhilBryantMS Shame on u for legalizing bigotry/discrimination.You’ve disgraced ur state.History’s judgment will be merciless. #LGBT #HB1523
— John M. Becker (@freedom2marry) April 5, 2016
.@PhilBryantMS adds his name to list of disgraced Southern governors by signing #HB1523. His ignorance will only hurt Mississippians.
— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) April 5, 2016
Gov. Bryant signs the most aggressively anti-gay bill in the country into law. Sad day for Mississippi–off to federal court. #msleg #HB1523
— Anthony M. Kreis (@AnthonyMKreis) April 5, 2016
Gov. Bryant had several good reasons to veto #HB1523 and nothing to lose. Instead, he legalized discrimination in Mississippi.
— Sam R. Hall (@samrhall) April 5, 2016
UPDATE III: 1:21 EDT –
HRC’s Chad Griffin:
.@PhilBryantMS refused to meet with LGBT people & listen to business leaders. Now his state will suffer because of his failure of leadership
— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) April 5, 2016
UPDATE IV: 1:24 PM EDT –Â
GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis:Â
“Governor Bryant has put the people and the economy of Mississippi at risk and damaged his state’s reputation by signing this regressive anti-LGBT bill into law. If Gov. Bryant listened to the stories of Mississippians fired from jobs, refused service, and shunned from their families, then perhaps he might have a sense of why bills like HB 1523 devastate LGBT people and their families. But Gov. Bryant’s attack on fairness will not deter us; the LGBT community will not stop demanding equality and full acceptance until everyone in Mississippi can live the life they love.”
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This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.
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Image: Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, via Facebook
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