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U.S. NEWSWednesday 6 April 2016
Mississippi gov. signs law allowing service denial to gays
JEFF AMY in North Carolina, however, South Dakota’s governor convictions of individuals, science.”
Associated Press where the Republican gov- vetoed a similar proposal organizations and private Opponents of the law,
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mis- ernor signed a law limiting limiting bathroom options associations from discrimi- however, see it as a sword
sissippi’s governor signed bathroom options for trans- for transgender people. natory action by state gov- against LGBT people, not a
a law Tuesday allowing gender people and pro- Such measures began ernment or its political sub- shield for Christian conser-
religious groups and pri- hibiting local communities
vate businesses to deny from enacting anti-discrimi- Protesters call for Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant to veto House Bill 1523, which they says will allow dis-
services to gay and trans- nation ordinances. The Mis- crimination against LGBT people, during a rally outside the Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss.,
gender people — echoing sissippi law also prohibits lo- Monday, April 4, 2016.
attempts made in other cal communities from pass-
states with varying levels of ing their own ordinances. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
success following last year’s The law is slated to take ef-
Supreme Court ruling that fect on July 1. emerging in various states divisions.” vatives.
effectively legalized gay “We’re still gathering in response to a U.S. Su- Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Brax- “This bill flies in the face of
marriage nationwide. troops,” said Erik Fleming, preme Court decision last ton, a lawyer and South- the basic American prin-
Saying he was protecting director of advocacy and summer that effectively le- ern Baptist minister who ciples of fairness, justice
religious freedom, Republi- policy for the American galized gay marriage na- shepherded the measure and equality and will not
can Gov. Phil Bryant signed Civil Liberties Union of Missis- tionwide. through the House, said protect anyone’s religious
the bill without hesitation sippi. “We’re disappointed. Bryant said in a statement under the law, “people liberty,” Jennifer Riley-Col-
or fanfare just hours after We were hoping that the that he signed House Bill can not only believe what lins, executive director of
it cleared its final legisla- business community step- 1523 because he wanted they believe, but act in ac- the American Civil Liberties
tive obstacle Monday, and ping up the way they did, to protect “sincerely held cordance with their beliefs Union of Mississippi, said in a
before opponents could try and people of faith, would religious beliefs and moral and not violate their con- statement. q
to talk him out of it. In addi- at least have him reflect on
tion to opposition from gay- the decision.”
rights activists, two leading Republican Georgia Gov.
state business associations Nathan Deal vetoed a simi-
and a number of large cor- lar religious objections bill
porations in recent days last week after big compa-
had come out against the nies including Coca-Cola,
bill, which allows religious Delta Airlines and others ex-
groups and some private pressed vehement opposi-
businesses to refuse service tion, and national sports or-
to lesbian, gay, bisexual ganizations hinted that they
and transgender people might hold their important
based on religious beliefs. events elsewhere. In North
It was unclear whether op- Carolina, an economic
ponents would continue backlash broadened Tues-
to marshal their forces in day, with PayPal announc-
an attempt to repeal the ing it has canceled a ma-
measure as they are doing jor expansion in the state.
Backlash grows over North Carolina LGBT discrimination law
EMERY P. DALESIO gender people to use pub- law, saying it is unfair and “This decision reflects Pay- ing building a $50 million
AP Business Writer lic bathrooms that match makes it more difficult to Pal’s deepest values and facility in Durham County
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — An the sex on their birth cer- attract talent. our strong belief that every projected to bring 50 jobs
economic backlash broad- tificates. The law, passed Just days before signing person has the right to be paying an average of
ened Tuesday against a in response to a Charlotte the law last month, Mc- treated equally, and with $76,000 a year. The NBA
North Carolina law that crit- ordinance that offered Crory personally attended dignity and respect,” the raised doubts about wheth-
ics say discriminates against protections to gay and PayPal’s announcement company said in a state- er it would continue plans
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, also that it was opening a new ment. to hold its all-star game in
transgender people with excludes sexual orientation operation center in Char- PayPal’s announcement Charlotte next year.
PayPal announcing it has and gender identity from lotte, where he was once came days after Lionsgate But PayPal’s decision isn’t
canceled a major expan- the state’s anti-discrimi- mayor. On Tuesday, the decided to move the film- likely to lead to a wave of
sion in the state. nation law and bars local San Jose, California-based ing for the pilot episode of businesses fleeing the state,
North Carolina has come governments from expand- company said it was can- a comedy series to Can- said Ryan McDevitt, a Duke
under heavy criticism since ing anti-discrimination rules. celing the $3.6 million plan, ada. New Jersey-based University professor who
Gov. Pat McCrory signed More than 100 corporate which would have created Braeburn Pharmaceuticals studies how companies
the law, requiring trans- leaders have decried the 400 jobs. also said it was reconsider- compete. q
