Mississippi gov signs law allowing service denial to gays

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi’s governor signed a law on Tuesday that allows public and private businesses to refuse service to gay couples based on the employers’ religious beliefs.

Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1523, despite opposition from gay-rights groups and some businesses who say it enables discrimination. Some conservative and religious groups support the bill.

The measure’s stated intention is to protect those who believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman, that sexual relations should only take place inside such marriages, and that male and female genders are unchangeable.

“This bill merely reinforces the rights which currently exist to the exercise of religious freedom as stated in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” the Republican governor wrote in a statement posted to his Twitter account.

The measure allows churches, religious charities and privately held businesses to decline services to people whose lifestyles violate their religious beliefs. Individual government employees may also opt out, although the measure says governments must still provide services.

“This bill does not limit any constitutionally protected rights or actions of any citizen of this state under federal or state laws,” Bryant said. “It does not attempt to challenge federal laws, even those which are in conflict with the Mississippi Constitution, as the Legislature recognizes the prominence of federal law in such limited circumstances.”

Other states have considered similar legislation. North Carolina enacted a law, while governors in Georgia and South Dakota vetoed proposals.

Bryant acted within hours of receiving the bill after it cleared its final legislative obstacle Monday, even as opponents tried to marshal pressure to persuade Bryant to reject it.

“This bill flies in the face of the basic American principles of fairness, justice and equality and will not protect anyone’s religious liberty,” Jennifer Riley-Collins, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, said in a statement. “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.”

___

Online: House Bill 1523: http://bit.ly/1qo4guX

___

Follow Jeff Amy at: http://twitter.com/jeffamy . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/author/jeff-amy

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The Theodore Roosevelt Office Building in Washington, home of the Office of Personnel Management, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. The Office of Personnel Management, the agency that manages the federal civilian work force and is coordinating an effort by the Trump administration to drastically reduce the size of the federal work force, laid off dozens of employees on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, according to people familiar with the move. (Valerie Plesch/The New York Times)
Mass firings ordered by Trump administration, including nearly 10% of U.S. Forest Service

Terminations primarily target probationary employees with less than two years’ experience.

Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola speaks at the Alaska Democratic Party’s state convention on May 18, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Report: Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola likely to run for governor in 2026

Democrat ousted in November would likely face crowded field in open race for Alaska’s top spot.

Meilani Schijvens, owner of Rain Coast Data, discusses regional economic data complied by her company during Southeast Conference’s Mid-Season Summit at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Five-year economic plan for Southeast suggests spending $300M to address top priority of housing

Other top goals include boosting seafood marketing, renewable energy, locally-owned tourism enterprises

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Feb. 10, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Alaska Supreme Court chief justice Susan Carney poses for a photo in a seventh-floor office of the state courthouse in Juneau on Feb 11, 2025. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Who is Susan Carney, Alaska’s new chief justice?

For the first time in Alaska history, the state’s supreme court is… Continue reading

Alaska Chief Justice Susan Carney speaks to the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. At background are Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak (left) and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham (right). (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska chief justice vows speedier trials after investigative journalists find problems

In her first address to the Alaska Legislature since becoming head of… Continue reading

Joann, the arts and crafts chain, announced it will close its Juneau location. An employee is seen working at the store on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Joann craft store is one of 500 closing across the US

Company filing for bankruptcy; property manager at mall said it’s unknown when local store will close.

Most Read