Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Tuesday signed the “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act,” which opponents fear will allow restaurant operators to deny service to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender patrons.
In a statement, Bryant said the law, set to go into effect in July, reinforces First Amendment rights to religious freedom.
“This bill does not 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,” Bryant said. “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.”
In a talk show, Bryant contended that the bill is specific to matters of marriage, according to The Clarion-Ledger.
The bill, for example, specifies that the religious beliefs or moral convictions it seeks to protect include the belief that marriage is a union of one man and one woman.
It also would prevent the state government from taking discriminatory action against a religious organization or person who declines to provide services related to the “solemnization, formation, celebration or recognition of any marriage,” including cake making, venue rental or any other marriage-related services.
Bryant cited a restaurant as an example, saying operators would not be allowed to deny service to a gay customer, but could ban gay weddings from taking place in the restaurant, according to the report.
Opponents, however, argue that restaurants could also deny service to gay couples celebrating an anniversary or engagement party, or any other event that could reference marriage.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi said the law sanctions discrimination not only against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or LGBT, people, but also single mothers and others.
“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,” said Jennifer Riley-Collins, executive director of the state’s ACLU chapter. “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.”
Mike Cashion, executive director of the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association, said the group did not take a position on the bill because some members strongly supported it and some were in strong opposition.
According to civil rights group the Human Rights Campaign, or HRC, some of the state’s largest employers have called for a veto, the HRC said, including Tyson Food Inc., MGM Resorts International, Nissan Group of North America and Hyatt Hotel Corp.
Jay Moon, president and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, said in a statement that the bill would “violate their corporate policies expressly providing for an inclusive workplace environment that supports diversity.”
Updated: April 5, 2016 This story has been updated with a statement from the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association.
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