WARNING: Shameful Attack on LGBT Mississippians Returns to House

Today, HRC released the following statement after the State Senate followed in the House’s footsteps to approve H.B. 1523 by a 31 to 17 vote. This comes despite the tremendous backlash that states like Georgia and North Carolina have faced for their legislatures voting in favor of bills that would put the LGBT community at risk of discrimination. H.B. 1523 returns to the House for a procedural vote on a new amendment, and will then head to the desk of Governor Bryant, who will either sign or veto the measure.

“Following the shameful actions of Lt. Governor Reeves and the Mississippi Senate, Governor Bryant is left with a very clear choice on how to lead his state forward when H.B. 1523 comes to his desk,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Will he follow the example of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, who, understood that discrimination in any form is unacceptable? Or will he align himself with North Carolina’s Governor McCrory, who, in sanctioning discrimination, has harmed both his constituents and the economy of North Carolina?”

Griffin continued, “We urge Gov. Bryant to do the right thing – reject discrimination, and veto this harmful measure when it reaches his desk.”

Dubbed the “Religious Liberty Accommodations Act,” H.B. 1523 would allow individuals, religious organizations and private associations to use religion to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Mississippians in some of the most important aspect of their lives, including at work, at schools, in their family life and more.

Under Mississippi’s H.B. 1523, religion could be used by most any individual or organization to justify discrimination against LGBT people, single mothers, unwed couples and others. Tax-payer funded faith-based organizations could: refuse to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples for provision of critical services including emergency shelter; deny children in need of loving homes placement with LGBT families including the child’s own family member; and refuse to sell or rent a for-profit home to an LGBT person — even if the organization receives government funding. As introduced, H.B. 1523 would also give foster families the freedom to subject an LGBTQ child to the dangerous practice of “conversion therapy,” and shame a pregnant unwed girl, without fear of government intervention or license suspension. It would even allow individuals to refuse to carry out the terms of a state contract for the provision of counseling services to all eligible individuals, including veterans, based on the counselor’s beliefs about LGBT people or single mothers.

Furthermore, schools, employers and service providers could implement sex-specific dress and grooming standards, as well as refuse transgender people access to the appropriate sex-segregated facilities, consistent with their gender identity — all in conflict with the United States Department of Justice’s enforcement of federal law. H.B. 1523 even legalizes Kim Davis-style discrimination by allowing government employees to abdicate their duties and refuse to license or solemnize marriages for LGBT people.

Earlier this week, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced his decision to veto H.B.757 — a deeply discriminatory religious refusal bill that sailed through the State Legislature. The legislation, which sparked a massive backlash of opposition from a broad array of civil rights groups, leaders in Hollywood, and corporate America, could have weakened local non-discrimination protections, allowed businesses to discriminate by denying service to LGBT people, and explicitly empowered discrimination by religious organizations. North Carolina is currently facing intense criticism for the passage of HB 2, a horrific anti-LGBT law that eliminates existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people and prevents such protections from being passed by cities in the future. The law, which was passed in a one-day hurried special session, is also the first of its kind to force transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity — a provision that puts 4.5 billion dollars in federal funding under Title IX at risk. Yesterday, over 90 leading CEOs and business leaders signed a letter calling for the repeal of H.B. 2.

H.B.1523 came to the Mississippi Senate today after passing the House of Representatives by an 80-39 vote last month. The attacks on fairness and equality in Mississippi are part of an onslaught of anti-LGBT bills being pushed this year by anti-equality activists across the country. HRC is currently tracking nearly 200 anti-LGBT bills in 34 states. As of today, at least half of these bills have been beaten back around the country. For more information, visit: www.hrc.org/2016legislature.

www.hrc.org/blog/warning-shameful-attack-on-lgbt-mississippians-returns-to-house?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Run on the Right Side of History with HRC at the Marine Corps Marathon and NYC Marathon

This year, HRC’s Athletes for Equality are excited to have a team of runners participate ​in the 2016 Marine Corps Marathon​ and the 2016 TCS New York City (NYC) Marathon.

Whether you are an experienced runner or a beginner, we are building a team of committed individuals to fundraise for equality and run on the right side of history.

Each dollar raised will go to HRC Foundation, enhancing the lived experiences of LGBT people and their families, as we change hearts and minds across America and around the globe.  This is an exciting opportunity ​and we are thrilled to be building a strong team of fundraising participants to join us as we run on the right side of history.

For both races, all team members will receive the following from HRC:

·       Personal fundraising page through Crowdrise

·       Marathon training program for athletes of all levels

·       HRC team singlet

·       Fundraising incentives

·       The knowledge that every dollar you raise will help make America’s future one where LGBTQ people can live in pursuit of happiness with the liberty and justice they deserve. 

Click here to learn more about the 2016 Marine Corps Marathon​ and click here to learn more about the 2016 TCS New York City (NYC) Marathon.

Should you have any questions, please email Carly [email protected].

HRC’s Athletes for Equality are committed to taking a personal stance in the name of equality. Whether LGBTQ or straight allies, our athletes share our beliefs about the injustices LGBTQ Americans face and possess a willingness to push themselves physically to bring forth change.

Can’t make the Marine Corps Marathon or the NYC Marathon? Join another team today.

www.hrc.org/blog/run-on-the-right-side-of-history-with-hrc-at-the-marine-corps-marathon-and?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Mississippi’s New Anti-LGBT Bill Claims That Women Can Be Fired For Wearing Pants

Mississippi lawmakers brainstormed as many ways to discriminate against LGBT people as they could think of and put them all in one bill.

The post Mississippi’s New Anti-LGBT Bill Claims That Women Can Be Fired For Wearing Pants appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/03/30/3764798/mississippi-anti-lgbt-bill/

Siren: Today, Mississippi Senate to Vote on Appalling Anti-LGBT Legislation

Contact Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and Senator Tindell NOW and tell them to vote no on HB 1523.

Today, the Mississippi Senate is scheduled to vote on H.B. 1523. Dubbed the “Religious Liberty Accommodations Act,” this horrific legislation would allow individuals, religious organizations and private associations to use religion to discriminate against LGBT Mississippians in some of the most important aspect of their lives, including at work, at schools, and more. The measure has already been approved by the State House of Representatives and would advance to the Governor’s desk if passed out of the Senate. Today’s vote comes as legislatures in Georgia and North Carolina have faced a tremendous backlash for voting in favor of legislation that would put the LGBT community at risk of discrimination.

“This legislation moves Mississippi backward, undermining equality for its residents and jeopardizing its ability to attract and retain fair-minded businesses,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Governor Byrant should be paying close attention to the backlash against discrimination in Georgia, where Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a terrible anti-LGBT bill, and in North Carolina, where fair-minded people and the broader business community are calling on state leaders to repudiate and repeal the discriminatory law passed last week. Mississippi’s economy and its reputation hang in the balance.”

Earlier this week, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, announced his decision to veto H.B.757 — a deeply discriminatory bill that sailed through the State Legislature. The legislation, which sparked a massive backlash of opposition from a broad array of civil rights groups, leaders in Hollywood, and corporate America, could have weakened local non-discrimination protections, allowed businesses to discriminate by denying service to LGBT people, and explicitly empowered discrimination by religious organizations. North Carolina is currently facing intense criticism for the passage of HB 2, a horrific anti-LGBT law that eliminates existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people and prevents such protections from being passed by cities in the future. The law, which was passed in a one-day hurried special session, is also the first of its kind to force transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity — a provision that put 4.5 billion dollars in federal funding under Title IX at risk. Yesterday, over 80 CEOs and business leaders signed a letter calling for the repeal of HB 2.

“The freedom to practice one’s religion is a core American value, firmly protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Mississippi’s H.B. 1523 however is extreme legislation that goes far beyond that fundamental right,” said HRC Mississippi State Director and former United Methodist pastor Rob Hill. “Fair-minded Mississippians must not be fooled by lawmakers’ disgraceful attempts to mask discrimination against LGBT people and their families with religious freedom. We call on the Senate and the Governor to put a stop to this attack on fairness and equality.”

Under H.B. 1523, religion could be used by most any individual or organization to justify discrimination against LGBT people, single mothers, unwed couples and others.  Tax-payer funded faith-based organizations could: refuse to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples for provision of critical services including emergency shelter; deny children in need of loving homes placement with LGBT families including the child’s own family member; and refuse to sell or rent a for-profit home to an LGBT person — even if the organization receives government funding. As introduced, H.B. 1523 would also give foster families the freedom to subject an LGBTQ child to the dangerous practice of “conversion therapy,” and subject a pregnant unwed girl to abuse, without fear of government intervention or license suspension. It would even allow individuals to refuse to carry out the terms of a state contract for the provision of counseling services to all eligible individuals, including veterans, based on the counselor’s beliefs about LGBT people or single mothers.

Furthermore, schools, employers and service providers could implement sex-specific dress and grooming standards, as well as refuse transgender people access to the appropriate sex-segregated facilities, consistent with their gender identity — all in conflict with the United States Department of Justice’s enforcement of federal law. H.B. 1523 even legalizes Kim Davis-style discrimination by allowing government employees to abdicate their duties and refuse to license or solemnize marriages for LGBT people.

The measure comes to the Mississippi Senate today after passing the House by 80-39 vote last month. The attacks on fairness and equality in Mississippi are part of an onslaught of anti-LGBT bills being pushed this year by anti-equality activists across the country. HRC is currently tracking nearly 200 anti-LGBT bills in 34 states. As of today, at least half of these bills have been beaten back around the country. For more information, visit: www.hrc.org/2016legislature.

HRC’s Project One America is an initiative geared towards advancing social, institutional and legal equality in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. HRC Mississippi is working to advance equality for LGBT Mississippians who have no state-level protections in housing, workplaces, or public accommodations. Through HRC Mississippi, we are working toward a future of fairness every day—changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.

Take Action: Contact Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and Senator Tindell NOW and tell them to vote no on HB 1523.

www.hrc.org/blog/siren-today-mississippi-senate-to-vote-on-appalling-anti-lgbt-legislation?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed