Mississippi governor signs 'anti-LGBT' bill into law

The legislation is considered the most sweeping LGBT discrimination bill in the states

Protesters call for Mississippi's governor to veto a so-called "religious freedom" bill that discriminates against LGBT people. (Rogelio V Solis/Associated Press)

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed a “religious freedom” bill into law, which opponents say will allow discrimination against LGBT people.

The legislation, House Bill 1523, says that the state government will not punish those who refuse to provide services to same-sex couples or transgender people.

Governor Bryant made his announcement on Tuesday afternoon saying that the law “does not limit any constitutionally protected rights or actions” and that it does not challenge federal laws.

"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," Bryant said.

The new law protects only three religious beliefs: marriage is only recognized between a man and a woman, sexual relations are reserved to such a marriage, and that "male" and "female" are determined by anatomy at birth.

Jennifer Riley-Collins, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Mississippi, released a statement shortly after the governor’s announcement.

“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,” Riley-Collins said.

“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.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center also issued a statement on Mississippi's new law.

“Gov. Phil Bryant’s decision to sign HB 1523 into law is unconscionable. This newly enacted law - like the draconian anti-LGBT laws in other states - uses the guise of ‘religious freedom’ to justify discrimination, mistreatment and bigotry," the statement read. "It’s the same sort of rationale used by white supremacists in earlier eras to justify slavery and Jim Crow. The estimated 60,000 LGBT people in Mississippi deserve better. We need to stand up for the rights of all people.