Protestors gather on the steps of the Capitol to rally against the passage of HB 1523, which would make discriminating against the LGBTQIA community legal. Photo by Imani Khayyam.
JACKSON — JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi state chamber of commerce is opposing a religious-objections bill heading to Gov. Phil Bryant's desk.
Mississippi Economic Council President Blake Wilson sent a statement to The Associated Press saying House Bill 1523 conflicts with the organization's non-discrimination policy.
Businesses including Nissan North America, Toyota, Chevron, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Entergy haven't taken a clear stance on the bill, but say they oppose any legislation that might violate their non-discrimination policies regardless of whether they're intentional.
Supporters of the bill say it protects religious groups, small businesses and government employees from being forced to violate their religious beliefs by having to serve same-sex couples.
The bill is similar to one Georgia's Republican governor vetoed last week after big corporations said it could lead to discrimination.
Bryant hasn't indicated whether he will sign the bill.
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