How Mississippi Businesses Are Fighting a New LGBT Discrimination Law

Back in February, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would have allowed businesses to "exercise their religious beliefs" by discriminating against LGBT people. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, however, proudly put his signature on a similar piece of legislation earlier this month. It will go into effect July 1.

The proponents of Mississippi’s SB2681, the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act, claim that it is more narrowly tailored than the controversial Arizona proposal. But civil rights advocates say it clears a path for anti-gay discrimination. "The law could still open the door for someone who wants to use their religion to discriminate against others," according to the Mississippi branch of the ACLU . "Mississippi legislators rejected language that would have explicitly prohibited religion from being used to excuse discrimination."