A Democratic Mississippi state
representative on Monday announced that he would introduce
legislation to repeal a so-called religious freedom law.
The law, signed by Republican Governor
Phil Bryant earlier this month, protects opponents of the Supreme
Court's June, 2015 finding that gay and lesbian couples have a
constitutional right to marry. The Protecting Freedom of Conscience
from Government Discrimination Act also protects the “sincerely
held religious beliefs or moral convictions” of individuals and
“private associations” opposed to transgender people and sexual
relations outside of marriage.
Rep. Jay Hughes announced his plan to
repeal the law on Facebook.
“HB1523 - Repeal? What will it take?”
Hughes
wrote. “Since the deadline for the introduction of new bills
has passed, a 'Suspension Resolution' will have to be filed in the
House. Then, the Speaker will have to allow it to come up for a vote
on the floor. It would then take 2/3 of all house members to vote to
suspend the rules, and allow a bill to repeal 1523 to be introduced
and voted upon.
From there, it would go to the other
chamber – where the Lt. Gov would have to allow a vote. Assuming
all pass, it would go to the Gov.”
Hughes said that he and others would
introduce the Mississippi Economic and Tourism Recovery Act on
Tuesday.
“Mississippi has been here before –
we must give reasonable minds and the principles of democracy an
opportunity to be heard. Repeal HB1523. All Mississippians are
equal,” he added.
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