Federal Appeals Court Lifts Injunction Blocking Anti-LGBT Law in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. — A federal appeals court today overturned a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit, Barber v. Bryant, that had previously stopped an anti-LGBT law in Mississippi from taking effect.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi has filed a separate lawsuit challenging the law, House Bill 1523, which allows freedom of religion to justify discrimination against LGBT Mississippians and single parents.

ACLU of Mississippi Executive Director Jennifer Riley Collins had the following reaction:

“We are disappointed that the appeals court has reversed the preliminary injunction placed on HB 1523 and dismissed the case. This decision places the plaintiffs and thousands more LGBT Mississippians and single parents in a position where they can be harmed for living as their authentic selves. This broad license to discriminate includes provisions that would seek to allow state employees to withhold marriage licenses from same-sex couples.

“We are ready to move forward with our case filed on behalf of ACLU members Nykolas Alford and Stephen Thomas, who are planning to marry in Mississippi in the near future. That case was put on hold until the court of appeals ruled. We will continue to proceed on behalf of Nykolas and Stephen to protect them, and other same-sex couples from this harmful and discriminatory law.

“Freedom of religion is one of the most fundamental rights we have as Americans, but that freedom does not give any of us the right to harm or mistreat others.

“The ACLU of Mississippi will continue to advocate for equal protection for our plaintiffs and the LGBT community in Mississippi. We stand ready to defend those who are harmed by any confrontations as a result of this ruling.”