GLAAD

Mississippi’s House Bill 1523 has passed the Mississippi legislature. Pro-LGBT legislatures delyed the bill slightly, requiring another procedural vote on Monday, but it is nearly confirmed the bill will be sent to Governor Phil Bryant.  House Bill 1523 is a so-called “religious freedom” bill that will allow organizations and employers to discriminate against LGBT people and not face legal repercussions.

GLAAD’s President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis has called on Governor Bryant to veto the bill. “Last summer, I had the opportunity to spend time in Mississippi, where I met a vibrant and resilient LGBT community,” Ellis said. “LGBT Mississippians are working together to improve conditions and live their authentic lives. Governor Bryant must follow the lead of Georgia and veto this bill that would hurt businesses, endanger economic development and enshrine discrimination in Mississippi’s law.”

Media outlets around the country have been reporting on the dangerous nature of this bill, including Vox, the Washington Post, Buzzfeed, CNN, Teen Vogue, and the Daily Beast.

As the Daily Beast notes, this bill is comprehensive and has the potential to be horrifically damaging to LGBT Mississippians. Fortunately, there has been growing opposition against HB 1523. As Mississippi news network, WJTV 12, reported, numerous organizations have joined together to confront this bill:

Additionally, people have already begun taking to social media to raise awareness of this discriminatory bill and to voice their opposition and to call for action:

URGENT: Mississippi just passed the most hateful anti-LGBT legislation in the country.t.co/zKC03jltOl pic.twitter.com/ky5PdFfP3e

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) March 31, 2016

Dear North Carolina and Mississippi:
Love, a Christian who believes in freedom for ALL. t.co/M7XTacVz96 pic.twitter.com/M7fyMch2Ik

— Glennon Doyle Melton (@Momastery) March 31, 2016

Will national LGBT groups & corporations wait for anti-LGBT bill in Mississippi to become law before fully protesting—too late—like in NC?

— Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) April 1, 2016

In Mississippi we use Religion as a shield to discriminate against certain groups of people. That’s not Christianity my friend. #HB1523

— Rep Jeramey Anderson (@RepJAnderson) April 1, 2016

Several organizations and businesses have stood in opposition of HB 1523. Some of these groups include MGM Resorts International, Tyson Foods, Toyota, Nissan, IBM, Skin by MD, Offbeat, Salon 11, Find It in Fondren, Planned Parenthood Southeast, A Plus Signs and Creative, Inc, the ACLU of Mississippi, the National Association of Social Workers, Human Rights Campaign, and the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.