Advertisement ACLU files lawsuit challenging religious objection law Mississippi law allows some to use religion as reason to deny service Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Gov. Phil Bryant reacted to a lawsuit filed Monday by the American Civil Liberties Union challenging Mississippi's religious objection law.The law, which goes into effect July 1, allows government and some business employees to use their religious beliefs as a reason to deny services to gay people and others. Bryant, who signed House Bill 1523 into law, said the law does not discriminate and it protects people of faith.The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of plaintiffs Nykolas Alford and Stephen Thomas, who have been engaged for nearly two years. The couple said that when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, they were happy, but they now fear they will be denied a marriage license in Mississippi because of the new law."We’re stepping up to fight this sweeping anti-LGBT and unconstitutional law that authorizes discrimination against gay and transgender people,” said ACLU staff attorney Josh Block. Bryant responded to the lawsuit during an interview Monday with 16 WAPT's Scott Simmons."Of course we're disappointed but you've got to remember this is a very liberal organization. And the ACLU has made a practice over the last 50 years -- they would come in and sue publicly elected officials and states over issues like this. This is a law that says the State of Mississippi shall not discriminate against individuals who exercise the freedom of religion," Bryant said. "Under the First Amendment, that's all it is. It's a non-discriminatory law and doesn't take away any authority someone might have to file a lawsuit either in local or federal court. It doesn't take away any federal rights that someone may exercise. It is simply a law that says the state of Mississippi or political subdivisions can't discriminate against someone for exercising their deeply held religious beliefs."The law could also affect anyone who has had sex outside marriage, ACLU officials said.Tap here to download the free WAPT app22758298