Movement of other anti-LGBT bills in Missouri and Tennessee
ACLU National expects movement of these anti-LGBT bills in Missouri and Tennessee this week:
Missouri, SJR39: A broad FADA-like religious exemptions constitutional amendment would allow religiously-affiliated organizations receiving state funds, businesses, and individuals to discriminate against LGBT youth, same sex couples, children of same-sex couples and more. The bill was filibustered on the Senate floor for a record 39.5 hours, but was forced to a vote and passage in that chamber.
Voices of opposition include: the state and local chambers (St. Louis and Kansas City); big companies like Square, Dow Chemical, and Monsanto; the NCAA; and the first openly gay NFL player and Missouri native Michael Sam. The measure is expected to be heard in the House emerging issues committee hearing today, where it could be voted on.
If the legislature passes this bill, it would go on the ballot for a public vote either in a special or general election, to be determined by the Governor.
Tennessee, SB 2387/ HB 2414 and HB 1840/SB 1556: A bill that targets transgender students, once thought to be dead, was revived and is now expected to be heard before the finance committees in both chambers this week. The bill would force students to use restrooms and locker rooms that match the students' birth certificates regardless of gender identity.
On Monday, Republican Attorney General Herbert Slatery expressed concerns that the bill's passage could cause the state to lose federal funding for education. Governor Bill Haslam expressed similar concerns last month. Also in Tennessee, a bill that would allow counselors to turn gay and transgender people away is headed to the governor, who has ten days not including Sundays to sign it into law.
North Carolina, HB 2: Support for LGBT North Carolinians and backlash to North Carolina's discriminatory HB 2 continues to pour in from individuals, organizations, and businesses. Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union with partner organizations filed a lawsuit challenging North Carolina's sweeping new anti-LGBT law, which uproots existing non-discrimination protections and forces transgender people to use restrooms inconsistent with their gender identity or break state law.
The legislature returns for their regularly scheduled session on April 25, which will be their first opportunity to consider repealing this harmful and controversial new law.
Mississippi, HB 1523: Alongside North Carolina, Mississippi continues to see outrage from constituents and the business and faith communities in response to the broad religious exemption bill that passed into law. 95 authors, including John Grisham, Donna Tartt, Jesmyn Ward, and others, urged a repeal through an open letter. The law would allow businesses and individuals, including government employees, to act upon their religious or moral beliefs about marriage for same-sex couples, sexual relations outside of heterosexual marriage, or gender identity.
This bill could allow discrimination against single mothers, same-sex couples and their families, transgender people, and vulnerable kids such as being turned away from a homeless shelter, denied important medical care, or losing their jobs – it would even authorize conversion therapy for LGBT young people in foster care.
ACLU Client and transgender student Payton McGarry said, "House Bill 2 was passed because some lawmakers claimed that that I, as a transgender person, am a threat to other's safety. Knowing that I can be denied employment or access to business services, and that I'm shut out of public restrooms that match my gender identity, has been awful.
"But I'm heartened to see the reaction from people and businesses across the state and country calling on North Carolina lawmakers to repeal this attack on the LGBT community and restore the legal protections that were repealed by the passage of HB 2."
Other anti-LGBT bills being tracked by the ACLU can be found on their bill-tracking page.
The Gayly - 4/13/2016 @ 10:50 a.m. CDT