With a stroke of the pen, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona has put an end to a unsettling period in her state’s history by vetoing a bill that would make it legal to discriminate against the LGBT community based on one’s “strongly held religious beliefs.” But that hasn’t stopped other states from forming or rewriting their own versions of similar bills.
Ohio pulled back from House Bill 376 which would ensure religious beliefs are not burdened by government action. But opponents said the broad language gives business owners a license to discriminate against people who do not match their religious beliefs, especially gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Ohioans. Lawmakers, however, plan to go back to the drawing board to draft tighter language that protects religious freedom without opening the door to discrimination.
Meanwhile, in Mississippi, legislators there passed Senate Bill 2681 wherein ‘burden’ means “any action that directly or indirectly constrains, inhibits, curtails or denies the exercise of religion by any person or compels any action contrary to a person’s exercise of religion. “Burden” includes, but is not limited to, withholding benefits, assessing criminal, civil or administrative penalties or exclusion from governmental programs or access to governmental facilities.” Known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Gov. Phil Bryant has not commented on whether he’ll sign it or not. “What little bit I’ve heard about it – I’m depending on the legislative process and I hate to comment on it at this point,” Bryant said. “I am sure attorneys in the House of Representatives will be looking at it. I’m just not prepared to say at this point whether that bill has that provision in it or not … I do support putting In God We Trust on the state seal.”
In South Dakota, SB 128 is intended to “protect the citizens and businesses of South Dakota regarding speech pertaining to views on sexual orientation and to provide for the defense of such citizens and businesses.” Last week, a state Senate committee effectively killed the bill by deferring it to the 41st day of the 40-day legislative session.
Furthermore, in Maine, Tennessee and Georgia, similar bills have either been killed or delayed as states across the nation weigh the implications of enacting what amounts to legalized discrimination.
