Phil Bryant

Mississippi’s Republican governor is asking a federal appeals court to uphold a state law letting merchants to deny services to same-sex couples.

“HB 1523’s absence does not impair the free exercise of religion,” the judge said.

The group also offered public relations advice and drafted the statement the Republican governor issued explaining why he signed the bill into law.

Mississippi’s Democratic attorney general said Wednesday that he won’t join the Republican governor in appealing a federal judge’s ruling.

Soon, people and businesses can deny services and employers can enforce strict dress codes and bathroom policies, claiming it’s their religious right.

All three lawsuits seek to block the bill from becoming law July 1. They also seek to have it declared unconstitutional.

While accepting an award from a hate group, Governor Bryant made sure to paint himself as the victim.

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant says the law will protect people’s religious belief that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

Eleven states are suing the administration over the directive to schools about transgender students. Mississippi won’t be one of them.

Attorney General Jim Hood, the only Democrat in statewide office in Mississippi, said he won’t represent Governor Bryant.

Laws that restrict the rights of transgender Americans are hateful and should be repealed, Education Secretary John B. King Jr. said.

The law, which takes effect July 1, is to allow religious groups and some private businesses to deny services to same-sex couples and transgender people.

A federal judge issued an order permanently blocking Mississippi from enforcing its ban on gay marriage. The new law says workers can claim a religious exemption to deny services to LGBT people.

“So I’ll go forward with my show on Saturday and I’ll use it as an opportunity to speak the truth…”

Rep. Jay Hughes of Oxford says Tuesday that he will try to undo the measure before it becomes law July 1.

A former U.S. poet laureate, winners of the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize, and best-selling authors including John Grisham are among the authors urging state officials to repeal a new religious exemptions law.

The Governor sits a few pews away from the lesbian couple who sued to overturn the state’s ban on adoption by same-sex parents.

In a statement, Andrew Cuomo said the Mississippi law is a “sad, hateful” measure.

The measure’s stated intention is to protect those who believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman.

Gov. Phil Bryant has clearly stated he feels marriage is only between a man and woman.