The Jackson Clarion-Ledger: on Civil Rights

Chris McDaniel: Let business use religious belief to not serve LGBT people

Analysis of HB 1523 by the Mississippi Clarion Ledger: A reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide, the Mississippi bill seeks to protect by law the belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and prevents government intervention when churches or businesses act "based upon or in a manner consistent with a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction." The advocacy director for the Mississippi Center for Justice said HB 1523 "violates a fundamental American value and strikes at the very heart of our work towards a fairer and more just state. This law is discriminatory."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 32-17-1 on Mar/30/17; State Sen. Chris McDaniel voted YES; Passed House 69-44-8 on Apr/1/17; Signed by Governor Phil Bryant on Apr/19/17.

Phil Bryant: Let business use religious belief to not serve LGBT people

Analysis of HB 1523 by the Mississippi Clarion Ledger: A reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide, the Mississippi bill seeks to protect by law the belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and prevents government intervention when churches or businesses act "based upon or in a manner consistent with a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction." The advocacy director for the Mississippi Center for Justice said HB 1523 "violates a fundamental American value and strikes at the very heart of our work towards a fairer and more just state. This law is discriminatory."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 32-17-1 on Mar/30/17; Passed House 69-44-8 on Apr/1/17; Signed by Governor Phil Bryant on Apr/19/17.

Robert Foster: Let business use religious belief to not serve LGBT people

Analysis of HB 1523 by the Mississippi Clarion Ledger: A reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide, the Mississippi bill seeks to protect by law the belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and prevents government intervention when churches or businesses act "based upon or in a manner consistent with a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction." The advocacy director for the Mississippi Center for Justice said HB 1523 "violates a fundamental American value and strikes at the very heart of our work towards a fairer and more just state. This law is discriminatory."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 32-17-1 on Mar/30/17; Passed House 69-44-8 on Apr/1/17; State Rep. Robert Foster voted YES; Signed by Governor Phil Bryant on Apr/19/17.

Ty Pinkins: Civil rights attorney; graduated from Georgetown University

"I am running because I am concerned about the direction in which our country is going," Pinkins said on Jan. 8. "Families are struggling to make ends meet because life is more expensive for Mississippians. Women's reproductive rights are under attack by politicians and unelected judges, and our very democracy is being threatened by those who wish to tear down the institutional safeguards provided by our Founding Fathers that have guided us for centuries."

A native of Rolling Fork, Pinkins is a Civil Rights attorney, who graduated from Georgetown University, according to his campaign website. He was an active duty member of the U.S. Army for 21 years, serving three tours in Iraq and received the Bronze Star for his service.