Can I get a big “Fuck you!” to the Arkansas legislature?
You actually pass a bill (SB202) that blocks cities and counties from enacting anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBT people? And to sneak it through legislation by calling it the “Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act”?
A county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance, resolution, rule, or policy that creates a protected classification or prohibits discrimination on a basis not contained in state law.
Add to that HB1228 which allows for people and businesses the right to use religion to discriminate:
It is found and determined by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that there is not a higher protection offered by the state than the protection of a person’s right to religious freedom; and that this act is immediately necessary because every day that a person’s right to religious freedom is threatened is a day that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is compromised.
Based on the reading of the bill, I could refuse to serve Asians with no repercussions because my religious beliefs state I shouldn’t? Or beat my wife and children because my Bible says I can?
Fuckity, fuckity, fuck.
Can we go back any further in time?
Until next time...
Arkansas, like a lot of other states (including Arizona), are going to be spending a large amount of money on legal fees until these laws are ruled as unconstitutional at the Federal level. You cannot pick on a specific group of people, that was already decided by the Romer case in Colorado.
It’s just maddening that it’s happening. And even more so because the backing legislator pretty much said he did it because he doesn’t like gays.
I thought of you two when I heard the news. What happens next, do you know?
At the moment, I do not. I am assuming once these become law, that someone will have to be denied/discriminated against in a certain way that will merit a case in the higher courts.
At least this happened:
http://www.towleroad.com/2015/02/lgbt-activists-stage-valentines-day-protests-in-arkansas-kansas-photos-video.html
Have hope 🙂 There’s change in the wind these days 🙂
It’s just sickening that legislators are now publicly speaking their dislike of gays and pushing through “emergency” legislation in an attempt to allow public discrimination.
I agree. Here in Alabama (we just got marriage equality kind of), there have been many people advocating for this very same thing in comments on news outlets. Of course it’s ridiculous; they aren’t even thinking about the potential consequences of such idiocy.
I’m sorry that this is happening in your state, Erik. The whole country has gone a little crazy right now. Lots of love!