Civil rights groups in Mississippi are fighting House Bill 1523 which they say will allow discrimination against LGBT people. They are calling on businesses to take a stand and urge the Governor to veto the legislation. MPB's Maura Moed reports.
Advocates for civil rights and LGBT equality bashed HB1523 during a news conference at the state Capitol yesterday.
Rob Hill is Executive Director of the Human Rights Campaign. He says comments against the bill by some Fortune 500 companies should serve as a sign to state leaders.
"What does this say to other businesses who may be thinking about locating in Mississippi? To individuals who may be thinking about locating to Mississippi? It says that Mississippi is not open for business and we are not the hospitality state. In fact, we should stop using that motto," Hill says.
Several corporations including Levi, MGM Resorts, Nissan, and Toyota say the bill goes against their policies of diversity.
Blossom Brown is transgender. She says the negative impact of the bill could extend further than businesses.
"What if I wanted to go to a school here, and the reason why I didn't get accepted into that school is because of someone's religious beliefs? It could get worse, and to discriminate against one community is not right," says Brown.
Erik Fleming is with the ACLU. He says either way, the damage is already done.
"Here we go again. Another misconception about Mississippi not being hospitable, or Mississippi trying to discriminate against people. But, I think either the house reconsidering the bill, or the governor vetoing the bill will go a long way in fixing that damage," Fleming says.
The House has already tabled its motion to reconsider. Governor Phil Bryant has not said whether he will sign the bill into law.
