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?

Oh city of Fayetteville. I just don’t understand you.

The city that the Husbear and I got married in this May, a city less than 30 miles from us, has just repealed a civil rights ordinance that would help protect LGBT citizens. The ordinance would have prohibited local businesses and entities from discriminating against employees and customers based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and other factors. The City Council of Fayetteville passed the ordinance in August, but several groups opposed it and gathered enough signatures to force a special election today.

Those in favor of repeal got 52% of the vote with 7,523 ballots cast. Those in favor of keeping the ordinance got 48% of the vote with 7,040 ballots cast. I’m disappointed that so few people voted–only about 29% of the registered voters of Fayetteville. Had this not been a special election, I am inclined to think the repeal would not have happened as more people would have, in theory, voted. Even with the small turnout, I am surprised at how close the vote was.

But with backers like many of the churches in the area (politics from the pulpit, what?!) and the Duggar family, I can honestly say I’m not surprised at all that the repeal happened.

I guess I’ll no longer be spending my money in Fayetteville.