“This legislation was rooted in hate, it targeted the LGBTQ community and it was a deliberate attempt to undermine marriage equality and the dignity of LGBTQ Mississippians who lawmakers have sworn to serve and protect,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “We will continue our fight to ensure that H.B. 1523 is repealed in its entirety.”

“We are glad to see that Judge Carlton Reeves has made clear what we already knew: H.B. 1523 is indefensible, both morally and legally,” said Rob Hill, Mississippi state director for HRC. “For months, Mississippians, the business community, faith leaders and countless others have made clear their opposition to this harmful bill, and we are pleased to see it will not go into effect this week. We will continue to look toward a full repeal of the law, and pursue comprehensive legal protections for all LGBTQ Mississippians.”

Earlier this year, hundreds of Mississippians -- including representatives from faith communities and civil rights organizations -- rallied against the bill outside Gov. Phil Bryant’s residence alongside HRC and its allies. Gov. Bryant has, to this day, refused meetings with members of the LGBTQ community throughout the lifespan of the bill. Read more about the law here.

In 2014, HRC launched Project One America, an initiative geared towards advancing social, institutional and legal equality in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. HRC Mississippi continues to work to advance equality for LGBTQ Mississippians who have no state level protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations. Through HRC Mississippi, we are working toward a future of fairness every day -- changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community

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