Mississippi, like other states across the nation, came under fire this month when it passed a ‘religious freedom’ bill that many have deemed anti-LGBT because of its protections for companies that decide to deny service to the LGBT community. Already, Tracy Morgan has spoken out against the new law. Now, first lady Michelle Obama decided to weigh in on the matter and criticize the state for taking a step backwards in terms of civil rights.
As previously reported, anti-LGBT House Bill 1523, also known as the Religious Accommodations Act, was signed into law earlier this month by Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. Essentially, the new legislation promises that the state will not punish any businesses that decided to deny service to LGBT customers on the basis that they are religiously opposed to same-sex marriage, extramarital sex or transgender people.
This past Saturday, Obama gave a commencement speech at Jackson State University in Mississippi, and spoke with the 2016 graduating class of the HBCU about how Mississippi has been the center of the civil rights struggle. And while speaking, Obama explained that LGBT people must be included in all civil rights movements and how the state’s new anti-LGBT bill was a step in the wrong direction.
“If we fail to exercise our fundamental right to vote, then I guarantee that so much of the progress we’ve fought for will be under threat. Congress will still be gridlocked. Statehouses will continue to roll back voting rights and write discrimination into the law. We see it right here in Mississippi — just two weeks ago — how swiftly progress can hurtle backward, how easy it is to single out a small group and marginalize them because of who they are or who they love,” Obama said.
She added, “So we’ve got to stand side by side with all our neighbors — straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender; Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu immigrant, Native American — because the march for civil rights isn’t just about African Americans, it’s about all Americans. It’s about making things more just, more equal, more free for all our kids and grandkids. That’s the story you all have the opportunity to write. That’s what this historic university has prepared you to do.”
We couldn’t have said it any better and we’re glad Obama spread such a message of solidarity and planted a seed for change in these young graduates’ heads.
