JACKSON, Miss. – Saturday, LGBTQ advocates and opponents of House Bill 1523 (HB 1523) – the so-called “Religious Freedom” bill that gives special rights to opponents of marriage equality and encourages discrimination against the LGBTQ community – rallied to raise their voices for equality and acceptance. Although HB 1523 was blocked by a federal court, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is appealing the decision, making it more important than ever for Mississippians to stand united against discrimination.
In partnership with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, and GLAAD, the world’s LGBTQ media advocacy organization, the march began on the steps of the Mississippi State Capitol and ended at the governor’s mansion. “My, My Mississippi,” a song of hope and love written by Mississippi-native and Grammy-award winning songwriter, Tena Clark, was performed by local choirs in front of the governor’s mansion, and served as a rally cry for the movement.
“I was born and raised in Mississippi, and when I heard that Governor Phil Bryant had signed this horrible bill, it really hit me because I’ve spent my entire life defending my home state by saying this kind of discrimination was in our past,” said songwriter and producer Tena Clark. “Governor Bryant used his pen, and I used mine. ‘My, My Mississippi’ is a song of love, but it is also a warning that we cannot slip into our past. It’s time for us to love intentionally and unconditionally in Mississippi.”
“My Mississippi has a motto: e pluribus unum – out of many, one. We are one Mississippi united, fighting for the rights of all Mississippians, and we will not tolerate hate in our state,” said Representative Kathy Sykes. “Because of 1523, many [outside businesses] do not want to do business in a state that supports discrimination in its laws. This law has far-reaching arms, and affects us in an economic way, as well as a spiritual and mental way.”
Overall sentiment at the rally was focused on love and acceptance, and speakers encouraged advocates and opponents of HB 1523 to continue to raise their voices, and to stand up against discrimination in the beautiful state of Mississippi.
“If your reading of the Bible teaches you to hate and discriminate, you have misinterpreted the Bible,” said Reverend Ed Bacon. “At the center of the Bible it says the most important commandment is to love God with all your heart, and to love your neighbor as yourself. There is no asterisk in the Bible that says love everyone except gay people. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and that is why we have to be here, be strong and be loud against hate-filled legislation.”
“My, My Mississippi” is available for purchase on iTunes, and the proceeds will benefit HRC’s Project One America, with offices based in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas, which aims to advance LGBTQ equality in the South.
