Mississippi has passed several laws in recent years to limit the rights of LGBTQ people, and a law passed last year banned trans youth from participating in women’s school sports. According to a study by UCLA, nearly 4 in 100 Mississippians identify as members of the LGBT community. Rob Hill, State Director for the Human Rights Campaign, says discriminatory bills are introduced in the state legislature each year, but not all of them pass.
“That legislation is not only harmful from a policy perspective, it also fuels the kind of animus that leads to violence very often, and so these kinds of bills can have devastating effects, even those that don’t pass. The fact that people are still attempting it, definitely legitimizes some of the hateful things that go on.”
Pride month is a celebration of history, as well as the ongoing efforts to secure rights for LGBTQ people. But Jason McCarty, Executive Director of Capital City Pride, says it’s also a time to help marginalized and underserved communities. He says there are dozens of Pride events being held across the state this month to not just entertain, but benefit residents.
“For example [at our] block party, we have about 50 vendors coming. And these are non-profit organizations that can help with any kind of legal disparities someone may have, or we have housing organizations coming to make sure that people know about their housing rights. Food disparity organizations. They can sign up for the many benefits that are the right of LGBTQ+ people here in Mississippi.”
Advocates say one way to make Mississippi a safer place for LGBTQ people is to speak out as an ally, and support those who are facing discrimination.
