Mississippi’s GOP-led House succeeded Monday in passing 70-47 what's being described as "the most sweeping" anti-LGBT measure nationwide, sending it to the desk of Republican Gov. Phil Bryant. (UPDATE: Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill Tuesday.) Dominic Holden reports:
[Bryant] has expressed support for the bill in the past but did not respond to BuzzFeed News’ request to comment on whether he would veto the measure or allow it to become law.
Democrats made desperate pleas to stop the measure, which they had delayed since last week by using a procedural maneuver that required an additional vote.
“This is the most hateful bill I have seen in my career in the legislature,” Rep. Stephen Holland said, urging his colleagues to reverse their vote the previous week to approve the bill. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” he fumed. “You are doing nothing but discrimination.”
It’s hard to imagine how Mississippi’s measure could out-bigot North Carolina’s recent law, but it apparently does so by virtue of how explicitly it targets LGBTQ Americans for discrimination. The bill would reportedly "allow the denial of services, goods, wedding products, medical treatment, housing, and employment to LGBT people."
Crowds gathered outside the Gov. Bryant's mansion Monday afternoon, where a rally is currently under way. … #HB1523 #NoHateInOurState #MSLeg
UPDATE: The public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention says #HB1523 is GREAT!
HB 1523, which the Mississippi House passed earlier today, is a carefully crafted piece of legislation that will protect religious freedom and provide reasonable accommodations for persons holding traditional views on marriage and sexuality. [...]
Mississippi has put forth perhaps the best post-Obergefell legislation to date. We commend the legislature for its work and voice our strong support for Governor Bryant to advance the cause of liberty by signing this bill into law.