Rev. Chris Donald, a Methodist chaplain at Millsaps College, joins other human rights advocates in calling for the Senate to defeat what they believe is a discriminatory anti-LGBT bill that recently passed the House, during a news conference in the rotunda at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Human Rights Campaign believes passage of H.B. 1523 would allow individuals, religious organizations and private organizations to use religion to discriminate against LGBT residents. (Rogelio V. Solis/The Associated Press)
Rev. Chris Donald, a Methodist chaplain at Millsaps College, joins other human rights advocates in calling for the Senate to defeat what they believe is a discriminatory anti-LGBT bill that recently passed the House, during a news conference in the rotunda at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Human Rights Campaign believes passage of H.B. 1523 would allow individuals, religious organizations and private organizations to use religion to discriminate against LGBT residents. (Rogelio V. Solis/The Associated Press)
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — The Mississippi House is sending Republican Gov. Phil Bryant a bill that would let government employees and private businesses cite religious beliefs to deny services to same-sex couples who want to marry.
Bryant has not said whether he will sign House Bill 1523 . However, he signed a 2014 bill promoted by gay marriage opponents, saying government cannot put a substantial burden on religious practices.
This year’s bill is similar to one Georgia’s Republican governor vetoed Monday amid objections from businesses that said it would permit discrimination.
Some corporations in Mississippi, including Nissan North America, oppose the bill, which passed the House on Friday.
Mississippi is one of 10 states considering bills in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last summer that effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — A former U.S. poet laureate, winners of the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize, and best-selling authors including John Grisham are among 95 Mississippi authors urging state officials to repeal a […]
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — The Mississippi state chamber of commerce is opposing a religious-objections bill heading to Gov. Phil Bryant’s desk. Mississippi Economic Council President Blake Wilson sent a statement to The Associated Press saying […]
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — As the Mississippi Senate sparred in one of its most contentious debates of the 2016 session, spectators watched intently from a balcony overlooking the chamber. In one group sat several state […]
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