These provisions were approved Wednesday night by the Mississippi Senate. The House passed a bill with few differences in February. The bill will be sent to the Governor if it is resolved by a conference committee. Bryant will sign the bill. American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi has joined other groups to form an opposition coalition. Erik Fleming (director of advocacy and policy at ACLU Mississippi) stated that they are definitely considering (a lawsuit). “We are looking at how many people we can add to the coalition. It’s on the table, if we don’t get the bill killed first.” On Wednesday night, Sen. Jenifer Brannning (R-Philadelphia) discussed the bill and answered pressing questions from Democratic senators who voted against it. Branning stated that the bill was a response to Obergefell V. Hodges, the U.S Supreme Court decision that upheld same-sex marital rights. Branning said Thursday morning to Mississippi Today that the bill has been met with mixed reactions. Branning said that her constituents were proud of her efforts to “protect their religious liberty.” However, some of the negative reactions Branning received forced her to delete her account on Facebook Thursday morning. Branning stated Thursday morning that she is open to having an adult conversation with anyone who calls, emails or visits my Capitol office. My Facebook page was deleted because of many negative comments directed at me, mostly from outside Mississippi. This bill has attracted national attention. Thursday morning’s network news program featured legal analysts giving their views on the constitutionality and legitimacy of the law. Sean King, a New York Daily News journalist who frequently publishes articles about race-related subjects, asked Mississippi business owners to voice their disgust at the bill. Montel Williams, a TV personality, called the bill’s “the Ross Barnett School of Christianity” and said it could have a negative impact on black Mississippians and the LGBT population. The bill was criticized by the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT advocacy organization, and Civil and Human Rights Coalition. “We call on Gov. Chad Griffin, president of HRC, said that Bryant should do the right thing and reject discrimination. He should also veto the harmful measure. The Mississippi bill is very similar to the two other legislative items that were passed earlier in the month. Georgia legislators passed a bill that was almost identical to Mississippi’s last week. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal vetoed the bill on Monday. Nathan Deal vetoed it. After North Carolina passed a law earlier in the month, which prohibits businesses from complying to other laws that provide anti-discrimination protections to LGBT people and requires that transgender people use bathrooms that are compatible with their biological sex, it is now facing a federal lawsuit. North Carolina Governor. National companies like Apple and Google are shaming Pat McCrory. The bill was condemned by Nissan, which has approximately 6,400 employees at its Canton plant. The statement stated that Nissan is committed to creating an inclusive work environment that encourages diversity for its employees. “It is Nissan’s policy to ban discrimination of all types, and we oppose any legislation which would allow discrimination against lesbians, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals,” the statement said. Horhn asked, “Can you imagine how someone with my background, as a black American, would think that this bill is discriminatory?” I’ve been discriminated as an African American. Do you understand why this is offensive? Branning supported the legislation during Wednesday’s debate and in an interview on Thursday morning. He said that the bill only protects religious and business organizations from government discrimination. Branning stated Thursday morning that people have the misunderstanding that this bill is discriminatory. It doesn’t discriminate against anyone. It protects citizens in this state from discrimination by the government.” To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to our Spring Member Drive today. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding those who live in Mississippi’s communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think. Republish this Story