U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ruled that the governor and his lawyers had not convinced him that their appeal would succeed in court. The final element is to determine if a stay serves the public interest. It is not. Judge Reeves stated in his decision that the public interest is better served if the status quo is maintained – a Mississippi with HB 1523. “To the extent that the preliminary injunction helps alleviate the damage wrought upon this State by an HB1523-caused economic boycott. Moreover, that too supports denying a stop to the injunction,” Roberta Kaplan, the lead attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case challenging House Bill 1523, stated that Judge Reeves had made a clear, forceful decision. Kaplan stated that the judge refused to change his mind because he had insisted on the implementation and enforcement of 1523 in his original opinion. “But, again, as in his original decision he arrived at those results not in prose, but in poetry. The clear and simple logic of his decision will stand the test. Attorneys for governor stated that, despite the judge’s decision, they believe their arguments will be accepted on appeal. “We respectfully disagreed with the ruling of the district court and look forward to defending HB 1523’s constitutionality before the 5th Circuit,” Jim Campbell, senior counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom said. He is representing the governor in the appeal. House Bill 1523 was signed into law by Gov. Bryant signed House Bill 1523 into law in April. It singles out three “sincerely held” religious beliefs that are worthy of protection. These include that marriage is between one man, one woman, and that people shouldn’t have sex outside of marriages. Anyone who rejects marriage-related services due to these beliefs will be protected from lawsuit. Opponents claim that this discriminates against gay, lesbian, and transgender people. Judge Reeves heard arguments from two lawsuits in June seeking to invalidate the law. Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant, and Barber v. Bryant argued House Bill 1523 is unconstitutional as it violates both the Establishment Clause and the Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. These clauses prohibit the government from favoring one religion or one group of citizens above another. Just minutes before midnight on July 1, House Bill 1523 was due to take effect, Judge Reeves issued a ruling striking down this law. The next day, Attorney General Jim Hood released a press release stating that he didn’t support the law. A week later, Governor. Bryant filed a notice to appeal and a request for a stay of Judge Reeves’s decision. John Davis, of the Department of Human Services joined Bryant in his appeal. Jonathan Mitchell and John Sauer are representing them pro bono. The attorneys for the governor argued that forcing gays and lesbians to use same-sex marriage services was similar to forcing doctors to perform abortions or conscientious objectors to serve in wars. Both of these rights are protected. Judge Reeves disagreed. “Issuing a marriage licence to a gay couple does not mean that they will be forced to engage in armed combat or assist with an abortion. Matters of life or death are not subject to interpretation. Judge Reeves stated in his decision that if movants really believe that LGBT citizens require them to “tinker with death’s machinery, their animus surpasses anything seen in Romer Windsor or the marriage equality cases,” Rob McDuff, cocounsel in Barber v. Bryant said Monday’s opinion by Judge Reeves is consistent with his June decision to strike down House Bill 1523. It was not surprising that he came to the same conclusion yesterday. McDuff stated that McDuff was correct in June and yesterday. The fate of House Bill 1503 rests now with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Reeves stated, “The baton has now been passed.” To support this work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today. This will allow us to continue important work such as this story. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of all Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think.