SNL Rips Religious Refusals Laws
This past weekend, Saturday Night Live parodied the anti-LGBT legislation we cover daily on PTN. In a satirical trailer starring Vanessa Bayer, SNL also sends up the 'Christian persecution' film genre, specifically the widely-panned God Is Not Dead 2.
Missouri Lawmaker Signals Which Way House Committee May Vote On SJR 39
After a four and a half hour hearing on Tuesday night, the first inklings of how the House Emerging Issues Committee will vote on Missouri's SJR 39 are emerging.
Georgia's Governor Does Not Regret Decision To Veto "Religious Liberty" Bill
In his first interview since vetoing Georgia's HB 757 in March, Governor Nathan Deal said he does not regret his decision, and that the uproar over recent bills in North Carolina and Mississippi should give legislators seeking to pass "religious liberty" bills second thoughts. Had it been signed, HB 757, the Georgia “religious liberty” bill, would have permitted discrimination like the bills in these other states.
Read Our Missouri SJR 39 House Committee Hearing Storify!
Missouri Businesses And Law Professors Speak Out Against SJR 39
Ninety-Five Mississippi Writers Sign Letter Opposing HB 1523
On Monday, 95 Mississippi writers co-signed a letter in response to HB 1523, a bill signed into law last week which could allow a range of individuals, corporations, healthcare providers, and nonprofit organizations—including those that receive taxpayer funding to perform social services—to refuse to provide goods and services to same sex couples, single mothers, divorcees, and anyone who has had sex outside of marriage and their families.
Last Week in Review: April 4–8
Musician Bryan Adams Cancels Mississippi Show Over Anti-LGBT Bill
In a decision that probably cuts like a knife to rock fans in Mississippi, Canadian musician Bryan Adams has cancelled his April 14 show in Biloxi.
Mississippi's "Religious Freedom" Bill Under Federal Review
According to the Washington Blade, three federal agencies are reviewing HB 1523, Mississippi's overly broad so-called religious freedom bill signed into law by Governor Phil Bryant this week. Spokespersons for Departments of Housing & Urban Development, Health & Human Services, and Transportation have all confirmed that their agencies are now taking a look at the law.
Businesses A Powerful Force In The Fight Against "Religious Freedom" Bills
Jackson City Council Passes Resolution Condemning HB 1523
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 into law Tuesday morning; by the evening, the city council of the state capital had approved a resolution condemning it.
AU Legislative Director Speaks At Georgia Victory Rally
AU Legislative Director Maggie Garrett joined more than 300 people at the Georgia Capitol at a victory rally celebrating Governor Nathan Deal's veto of HB 757, a bill that would have sanctioned discrimination based on religious beliefs.
Mississippi's Anti-LGBT Law Draws Outrage Nationwide
In the hours after Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 into law, academics, politicians, celebrities, and companies from all walks of life condemned the action, some even calling for travel bans and boycotts.
Mississippi Governor Signs Overly Broad "Religious Liberty" Bill Into Law
Governor Phil Bryant has signed HB 1532, a bill that could allow a range of individuals; corporations; healthcare providers; and nonprofit organizations—including those that receive taxpayer funding to perform social services—to refuse to provide goods and services to same sex couples; single mothers; divorcees; and anyone who has had sex outside of marriage and their families, into law.
First Openly Gay NFL Player Michael Sam Opposes Missouri's SJR 39
Former University of Missouri football star and the NFL's first openly gay player Michael Sam has written an op-ed in the Columbia Daily Tribune opposing SJR 39, Missouri's constitutional amendment bill that would sanction discrimination.
Nebraska Foster Care Bill That Would Allow For Discrimination Effectively Dead
Nebraska's LB 975, a bill that would have allowed adoption and foster care agencies in the state, including taxpayer-funded agencies, to refuse to work with families, youth in care, or prospective parents based on the agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs, is effectively dead for this session.
Last Week in Review: March 28 – April 1
St Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial Board Against Missouri Discrimination Bill
The Editorial Board of the St Louis Post-Dispatch has come out against SJR 39, a bill that would enshrine discrimination based on sincerely held religious beliefs in the Missouri constitution. In an editorial published this weekend, the paper urges lawmakers to let the bill die in the legislature.