Missouri is getting ready to consider the heinously dangerous and bigoted anti-LGBTQ religious exemptions bill similar to Indiana SB101 (and other copycats) called SJR39 in the Senate and the House, and could very well make its way to Show-Me State voters this year (likely in November, coinciding with the general election featuring the Presidency, Senate, and the Governorship, among other offices).
Colin Murphy at Boom Magazine, via TNCRM:
SJR 39, introduced by State Sen. Bob Onder (R-St. Charles), would ask voters to prohibit the state from imposing a penalty on a religious organization or individual who acts in accordance with a sincere religious belief concerning same-sex marriage, which includes the refusal to perform a same-sex marriage ceremony or allow a same-sex wedding ceremony to be performed on the religious organization's property.
The bill further says the state shall not impose a penalty on an individual who declines either to be a participant in a marriage or wedding ceremony or to provide goods or services of expressional or artistic creation for such a marriage or ceremony or an ensuing celebration thereof, because of a sincere religious belief concerning marriage between two persons of the same sex.
Human Rights Campaign:
Extreme legislators in the Missouri General Assembly have introduced a series of anti-LGBT joint resolutions in both the House and Senate. If passed, these three bills, particularly SJR 39, would put dangerous religious refusals on the ballot in Missouri.
Kevin at Progress Missouri:
Let’s be clear: the First Amendment already defends a person’s religious freedom, and no one is forcing business owners to change their views on same-sex marriage. However, denying services to certain people based on their gender, religion, nationality or skin color remains discriminatory and illegal.
And on top of all that, it’s bad for business.
Tim Peacock at Peacock Panache:
Following the lead of several other states the Missouri Republican Party just introduced legislation last week that would amend the state constitution to allow discrimination against the gay community in areas of public accommodation so long as it’s based in religious belief. Specifically, SJR39 – introduced by state Senator Bob Onder (R-St. Charles) – targets businesses and organizations who refuse to serve LGBT customers.
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Essentially, SJR39 would give businesses and organizations carte blanche to discriminate against LGBT people so long as they claim they did it because they hold religious beliefs that direct them to treat LGBT people differently than they treat all other customers or clients.
ACLU Missouri’s Sarah Rossi on SJR39’s ramifications if ratified by voters:
Contact your legislators in Missouri so that they can VOTE NO on SJR39: act.myngp.com/...