Opponents of a Mississippi law that takes effect Friday, are taking their fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Legal Advocates have tried for more than a year to stop the law known as HB 1523 from taking effect. The law allows some government employees and businesses to recuse themselves from offering services to same sex couples based on their deeply held religious beliefs. Rob Hill with the Human Rights Campaign says it discriminates against the LGBT community.
"It makes me feel horrible. It sends the message that this state doesn't value me. It doesn't value other LGBTQ citizens around our state," said Hill.
A federal judge struck down the law last year. Governor Phil Bryant appealed and won; a panel on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the plaintiffs didn't prove they were hurt by the law. Friday, a request for all the judges on the appeals court to hear the case was denied. Attorney Robert McDuff represents some of the plaintiffs. He says they're asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.
"This is a law that is divisive and encourages discrimination. Our case raises important issues about the role of the federal constitution in presenting discrimination that favors certain people because they hold certain religious views," said McDuff.
Republican State Representative John Moore of Brandon says the law protects religious Mississippians from discrimination. His thoughts on the case going before the Supreme Court?
"I think if that's what they choose to do and they can afford to do it then so be it. We will all go with what the court system rules in that situation," said Moore.
Governor Phil Bryant says in a statement the law was democratically enacted and is perfectly constitutional.
