GLSEN

[GLSEN]

Mississippi Governor Signs Sweeping Anti-LGBT Bill Into Law

Bills like Mississippi’s HB 1523 blatantly discriminate against LGBT people, specifically putting LGBT students and their allies, at risk. Join GLSEN Up to take action and speak out against discrimination and defend the rights of LGBT students! http://glsen.us/1QaKwlg

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Tuesday signed into law what critics say is the most sweeping anti-LGBT legislation in the United States, permitting the denial of products and services in a wide range of venues.

H/T: BuzzFeed

[GLSEN]

Let’s Not Forget About #RFRAs

Don’t forget: There is already a Federal Religious Freedom law that protects an individual or group’s religious freedom from government interference.

Don’t forget: Under the state-level RFRAs that have been in the news recently, such as those in Indiana and Arkansas, people can claim their religious beliefs prevent them from serving LGBTQ people or counseling an LGBTQ student who is grappling with their identity. 

Indiana’s original RFRA extended religious rights beyond individuals to private businesses.

LGBTQ discrimination is wrong. Religious discrimination is wrong.
Discrimination is wrong.

States must protect all of our rights.
It shouldn’t be an either, or proposition.

[GLSEN]

This is Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. He is expected to sign into law HB1228, a religious freedom bill almost identical to the one passed in Indiana. 

What does he think about the bill? 

“Arkansas is open for business, and we recognize and respect the diversity of our culture and economy.”

If that’s true, then where are the protections for groups that comprise that diversity? We want answers, Gov. Hutchinson. 

[GLSEN]

This isn’t a political issue. It isn’t a religious issue. This is about how we treat each other as human beings. Opposing discrimination takes courage. With the lives and dignity of so many people at stake, it’s time for all of us to be courageous.

Tim Cook re: discriminatory “religious freedom” bills like Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

[GLSEN]

These bills rationalize injustice by pretending to defend something many of us hold dear. They go against the very principles our nation was founded on, and they have the potential to undo decades of progress toward greater equality.

Tim Cook on the dangers of “religious freedom” bills, which have the potential to do great harm to LGBT communities and others. Read the whole op/ed here. 

[GLSEN]

Who’s upset about Indiana Governor Mike Pence passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act? Here’s a start…

[GLSEN]

With this law, the Indiana legislature and Gov. Pence have made it clear that they consider LGBT lives to be of less value than others, an especially harmful message to send to LGBT youth who are often bullied, harassed and discriminated against at school.

GLSEN’s statement on the discriminatory Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed into law in Indiana today.