In the wake of the veto of the anti-LBGT law in Georgia and the national outrage over HB 2 passed in North Carolina, another southern state is attempting to protect so-called “religious freedoms.”
The Mississippi Senate passed HB 1523, also known as the “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act” on Wednesday night. The content of the bill would allow a number of businesses and other entities to deny gays and lesbians service. The long list of exempt businesses include DJs, photographers, wedding planners, florists, bakers, venue rental companies, religious organizations, and many others. It would also allow healthcare professionals to refuse to provide gender reassignment treatments for transgender patients. Employers and school administrators would have control over who can access restrooms, locker rooms, and other intimate places.
The most disturbing provisions gives state officials such as county clerks, judges, and justices of the peace a way to recuse themselves from performing ceremonies and other legal duties. Essentially, it would give them free reign to not to do their jobs. Another provision that declares parents can raise children as they see fit has drawn criticism that this could open the door for conversion therapy. Conversion therapy is a controversial practice that claims children can be cured of homosexuality through psychological means.
Of the many anti-LGBT bills debated, passed, or vetoed during the last year, Mississippi’s appears to be the broadest and most discriminatory. And just as with Georgia and North Carolina, economic backlash against the state will follow. Nissan employs around 6,400 employees in the state, and quickly released a message condemning the law.
As of now, there is no clear indication of whether the Governor will sign the bill into law, or veto it. But in an interview with a local TV station, he said:
“I think it gives some people, as I appreciate it, the right to be able to say ‘That’s against my religious beliefs and I don’t need to carry out that particular task.”
Critics disagree. Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin issued a statement declaring that:
“This legislation moves Mississippi backward, undermining equality for its residents and jeopardizing its ability to attract and retain fair-minded businesses.”
If HB 1523 passes, the state would become the 21st with a law of this kind. One of Mississippi’s purported state slogans is “The South’s Warmest Welcome.” It may turn out that the welcome isn’t warm for everyone.
Feature image via Flikr by Ken Lund available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license
