Mississippi Poised to Pass Breathtaking Anti-LGBT Law; Mother Jones, 4/1/16

Becca Andrews, Mother Jones; Mississippi Poised to Pass Breathtaking Anti-LGBT Law:

"[T]he Mississippi bill is so sweeping that it may be more discriminatory than even the North Carolina statute. The Mississippi bill would essentially make it impossible to sue for gender or sexuality discrimination if the motivation for the discrimination was religion.

Here are some of the bill's provisions:

Any organization can decline "to provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods or privileges for a purpose related to the solemnization, formation, celebration or recognition of any marriage."

Employers can make a "decision whether or not to hire, terminate or discipline an individual whose conduct or religious beliefs are inconsistent with those of the religious organization."

Mississippians can deny housing based on religious beliefs.

Foster care organizations and adoption agencies can "decline to provide any adoption or foster care service" without fear of retribution.

The state can't prosecute any person who "declines to participate in the provision of treatments, counseling, or surgeries related to sex reassignment or gender identity transitioning or declines to participate in the provision of psychological, counseling or fertility services" or any wedding- or marriage-related services.

Schools and business owners can establish "sex-specific standards or policies concerning employee or student dress or grooming, or concerning access to restrooms, spas, baths, showers, dressing rooms, locker rooms, or other intimate facilities or settings.""