As part of Mississippi’s new religious freedom law that was signed into law April 5, workers in county clerk offices are now allowed to recuse themselves from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples based on their religious or moral convictions.
But some, like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), say the law’s provisions could allow county clerk office workers to discriminate against gays.
ACLU filed a lawsuit May 9 on behalf of engaged same-sex couples planning to wed that challenged the law, saying the opt-out provision allows the state to maintain a “no same-sex couples allowed” list of government officials who will provide marriage licenses to every couple except those who are gay, according to Baptist News Global.
Jennifer Riley-Collins, executive director of ACLU of Mississippi, said, “The ACLU stands firmly against discrimination in all forms. All citizens deserve the right to be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Set to go into effect July 1, House Bill (HB) 1523 is said to violate the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, according to the lawsuit.
‘Imposed disadvantage’
ACLU lawyers say the bill “imposes a disadvantage, a separate status and so a stigma upon all married same-sex couples in Mississippi.”
The bill has found support from Southern Baptists.
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission supports the bill, calling it “an exemplary model for public policy.”
House Speaker Philip Gunn, a Southern Baptist layman, sponsored HB 1523.
However, some pastors in the area disagree and have urged Gov. Phil Bryant to veto the bill.
Pastor Stan Wilson, of Northside Baptist Church, Clinton, Mississippi, said, “Any law that threatens the livelihood of real people is bad public policy. More to the point, as a pastor, I believe it is a failure of Christian witness.”
(TAB, Baptist News Global)
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