Mississippi's Phil Bryant To Sign Bill Opponents Say Targets Gay Community
- By
- On Top Magazine Staff
- | April 03, 2014
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant said Wednesday that he would sign a controversial bill approved by lawmakers on Tuesday.
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (also known as Senate Bill 2681) passed 79-43 in the House and 37-14 in the Senate.
The measure aims to “provide that state action or an action by any person based on state action shall not burden a person's right to the exercise of religion.”
Opponents say the measure could allow businesses and individuals to refuse services to gay people and minorities.
ACLU of Mississippi Executive Director Jennifer Riley-Collins said of the bill: “We remain hopeful that courts throughout the state will reject any attempts to use religion to justify discrimination. Nobody should be refused service because of who they are.”
After a loud outcry, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer in February vetoed a similar bill. Lawmakers in other states have rejected similar measures.