Never before has there been such a consolidated effort to support transgender rights. As we all know, North Carolina is pulling some crazy maneuvering, trying to get transgender people banned from bathrooms that match their gender identity. Huge companies like Paypal are pulling the plug on their involvement with the state. This goes alongside the many other corporations that are expressing their disdain and disapproval of the discriminational basis of #HB2 We are talking Facebook, IBM, Google and Bank of America.
Meanwhile on the other side of the south, Mississippi is having a show down on LGBT discrimination. The religious freedom bill is meant to allow individuals to decide if LGBT people can patronize their businesses based solely on the religious beliefs of the customer representative. This sweeping bill would cripple human rights work in Mississippi. Come to find out it would also cripple Mississippi's income revenue. Many corporations are choosing to take their business elsewhere to more affirming and accepting states. Those who are fleeing the antiquated and bigoted laws are in disbelief of the sweeping capacity of the law's provisions.
Specifically the law would allow:
1. Hiring and firing based on religious belief and moral conviction
2. Decline to provide services from baking cakes to being a DJ
3. Decide who they sell or rent their house to
4. State employees to opt out of duties that ask them to go against their moral beliefs
5. Can create standards about sex for restrooms, employees, students, spas and so on
6. Medical providers to decline treatment based on religious beliefs
This all with the notion that the law will protect religious beliefs and only those with moral standing will exercise these beliefs. We know that it is dangerous because it is blatant discrimination, something that the US has worked almost 200 years to do away with. Why are we choosing to go backwards?