Court denies Mississippi the right to enforce anti-LGBT law during appeals process
Mississippi has been declined the right to enforce an anti-LGBT law during an appeals process in a lawsuit against it.
A federal appeals court, the 5th Circuit on Friday denied the request by Governor Phil Bryant for a stay pending appeal by the state.
The Governor had also requested for the appeal to be expedited. That request was also denied.
Bryant signed HB1523 into law in early April.
It would have protected business who claim to have “sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions” in objection to same-sex marriage.
The bill would have also allowed organisations opposed to sex outside of marriage to discriminate, and anti-trans businesses to be protected.
Governor Bryant is now in a position to seek a stay from the US Supreme Court, or to proceed with the appeal.
If he does the latter, Mississippi won’t be allowed to enforce HB1523 during the process.
Governor Bryant in June said he’d rather be executed through crucifixion than repeal his anti-LGBT legislation.
The Governor of Mississippi Phil Bryant signed a new law in April that enables discrimination against LGBT people – ignoring pleas from business leaders in the state.
