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ADL APPLAUDS COURT DECISION BLOCKING MISSISSIPPI ANTI-LGBT LAW

  • July 1, 2016

July 1, 2016, New Orleans, LA … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today applauded a federal district court decision blocking implementation of one of the nation’s most severe anti-LGBT laws, which was scheduled to go into effect today.  Couched in terms of religious or moral objection, the law, Mississippi HB 1523, authorized broad discrimination by individuals, businesses and public officials against LGBT people, as well single mothers and unwed couples.

Allison Padilla-Goodman, ADL’s South Central Regional Director, issued the following statement:

“ADL applauds the court’s decision, which is a powerful and stern rebuke to government officials who seek to use religious freedom as a pretext to discriminate against LGBT people and others.  HB 1523’s official stamp of approval for certain religious beliefs about marriage and sexual relations plainly violates the U.S. Constitution because it prefers particular faiths, and relegates LGBT Mississippians and others to second-class status under law.  Calling HB 1523 disgraceful, last April we had urged Governor Bryant to veto the measure.  Although the state could appeal today’s decision, ADL now calls upon Mississippi Attorney General Hood to stop defending the indefensible and be on the right side of history by agreeing to permanently block implementation of this odious law.”

HB 1523 granted special rights to persons whose religious or moral beliefs disapprove of same-sex marriage, sexual relations outside of opposite-sex marriage, and transgender people.  It effectively provided such individuals blanket immunity from government penalties in numerous areas, including taxation, employment, benefits, court proceedings, licenses, and financial grants.

The case challenging HB 1523 is entitled, Barber v. Bryant, and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_News