Advertisement Missouri lawmakers to resume talks on religious exemption proposal Republican candidate for governor comes out against measure Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A Missouri House committee is expected to discuss the state’s controversial religious liberty bill in a hearing Wednesday night.The hearing follows two days of rallies in Jefferson City about the issue, which has become the most contentious item on the Legislature’s calendar this year.Senate Joint Resolution 39 is a proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution that protects anyone from being punished for refusing to do business with a same-sex couple, based on religious beliefs. It has already passed the Senate. If it passes the House, it will still need to pass a statewide vote this fall.Weddings and the companies that provide services for them appear to be a battleground.Lon Lane’s catering company, Inspired Occasions, does lots of weddings. He said he opposes the measure, but understands why businesses object to the government telling them what to do.“There’s a lot of businesses who don’t want the government to tell them what they have to do with their businesses,” Lane said. “Yes, we have to protect those people who are ‘being discriminated against.’ But we also have to protect the business owner that has very strong religious beliefs.”Eric Greitens, a Republican candidate for governor, said this week that he opposes the resolution. His Republican rivals for the nomination, Catherine Hanaway, Peter Kinder and John Brunner, have all vowed support for it.Lane said that while he thinks the resolution is a bad idea, many same-sex couples have other options when they plan their weddings.“Why would you want to do business in the first place with someone who doesn’t like you?” Lane said.About 200 people were at a rally in Jefferson City Tuesday to support the resolution. A smaller crowd of about 80 people came out Wednesday to oppose the amendment.Among those on hand for Wednesday’s rally was former Missouri Tigers football star Michael Sam. Sam, who became the first openly gay player drafted in the NFL, condemned the measure as “the opposite of respect and the opposite of equality.”Kansas City business leaders and the city’s Sports Commission have said they’re worried that the measure could cause the city to lose out on sports events and concerts. They said the state would not be seen as welcoming.