Mississippi gov. signs law allowing service denial to gays

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi's governor signed a law Tuesday allowing religious groups and private businesses to deny services to gay and transgender people — echoing attempts made in other states with varying levels of success following last year's Supreme Court ruling that effectively legalized gay marriage nationwide.

Saying he was protecting religious freedom, Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill without hesitation or fanfare just hours after it cleared its final legislative obstacle Monday, and before opponents could try to talk him out of it. In addition to opposition from gay-rights activists, two leading state business associations and a number of large corporations in recent days had come out against the bill, which allows religious groups and some private businesses to refuse service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people based on religious beliefs.

http://www.startribune.com/mississippi-gov-signs-law-allowing-service-denial-to-gays/374626441/