Well, nice job, Missouri. Not only are you consistently ranked as one of the worst states to live in, but you just found a way to make yourself even worse.
Senators yesterday passed a bill that makes it legal for businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples as long as the business owner cites religion as the reason. (You know, stuff like refusing to bake cakes for a gay couple’s wedding, because Jesus spoke at length about that.) Of course, they claimed that this was all about “fairness” and “free exercise of religion,” but that’s obviously not the case because the law applies to the free exercise of religion that hates queers. There’s no provision for people who want to discriminate on any other basis — so it’s pretty fair to say that this is only meant to target same-sex couples for mistreatment.
(And obviously they won’t stop there. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest what their end goal is: laws that protect landlords who evict people for being gay; bosses who fire people for being gay; hospitals that refuse treatment to people who look gay.)
Pro-equality legislators did their best to fend off this law, staging a valiant 40-hour filibuster in an attempt to kill it. But then Republicans invoked a legislative trick called “moving the previous question,” which basically means forcing an instant vote, and the bill passed.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Last time the Republicans pulled this trick, Democrats got revenge by killing almost every other bill that session. Maybe they’ll do the same thing in this case, so Missourians can look forward to more dysfunction from their elected officials.
Ultimately, if the law passes it will probably be ruled unconstitutional because it’s clearly meant to target one specific group for no discernable government purpose, and you can’t do that. But it’ll take years and millions of dollars to get there, during which time Missouri will continue to be an awful place to live.
Grant Mealey
My moms entire family moved from there in the 1940’s because of the bigotry…..
Rocco Vader
Missouri…get on the right side of history….
gaym50ish
Just wait. One of these days a black man will be refused service because the store owner’s religious belief calls for separation of the races. What will they do then?
Or, I wonder what will happen when a female legislator or a lsgislator’s wife is refused service in a Muslim-owned shop because she’s unaccompanied by a man — or can’t get a ride with a Muslim cab driver.
Luis H. Lopez
Well let the boycott begin and the discrimination lawsuits too!
Kangol
Missouri REPUBLICAN state senators pushed this bill. I read that the lead legislator behind it is a homophobic Catholic doctor who also serves as a state senator. Just imagine this nut treating you if he finds out you’re gay. What a nightmare.
Also, Democratic legislators tried to stop it by heroically filibustering for 40 hours. The big question will be whether the Missouri house passes a similar bill and then has the votes to override the governor, who is a Democrat. This is why voting for Democrats, even somewhat conservative ones, can make a huge difference.
If it weren’t for St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, and their suburbs, Missouri would be as right-wing as Arkansas.
Mack
So that means I can refused service to a Christian because my religion says I can? If some one comes in with a cross around their neck I can say it’s against my religion to serve you?
Thad
Time for Missourians to throw out their bigoted legislators. But does that ever happen?
Bob LaBlah
Let me say this: I understand the frustration of having someone tell you that they will not offer you service based on such and such moral standards. But what I see in that is the mother of a business opportunity for some one with good culinary skills to step in and fill the void.
There are PLENTY of people across the country who specialize in wedding cakes and special anniversary cakes. Join their ranks and quit crying about So&So’s bakery won’t do gay events. EFF them and there prerogative. I have a feeling that being a trans or whatever won’t matter if you can show proof you know what you are doing and have a superior product. The start up costs on a home based business as such is pretty reasonable.
1EqualityUSA
Bob LaBlah, Setting the precedent is not a good idea. Defeat them legally.
Bob LaBlah
@1EqualityUSA: Down here that attitude is referred to as forcing someone to legally have to allow you to kiss their ass to take your money. I say its time to quit whining and do for self. Imagine a situation when a trans can work and be an employer instead of whining about who won’t hire them or give them a chance. At least TRY to do something for yourself if society won’t cooperate to your specifications.
Daniel-Reader
Since the legislation lets hospitals, ambulance companies, and pharmacies deny life-saving medical treatment and medicine using religion as an excuse, the legislators are guilty of genocide.
Daniel-Reader
Notice they don’t protect having to serve divorced or re-married people. Under Christianity, divorce is specifically forbidden by Jesus, and re-marriage is considered adultery which is punishable by death according to the bible. The bigotry and hypocrisy of the legislators is atrocious.
Douglas Schlitz
Maybe we should rename it the state of misery !
dean089
I don’t know why everyone is so eager to give their money to someone that thinks you’re subhuman. If someone hates gay people I want to know up front so that I can make sure they never see a penny of my hard-earned cash.
rickhfx
Equality should be applied, religion is a fantasy that mentally ill people believe in. I say reality trumps fantasy.
Transiteer
“Land of the Free” ?? Not in Missouri. Home of the Ignorants.
scotty
@gaym50ish:
why not a gay dark skinned couple?
Ander
@Bob LaBlah:
All very good and well. The fact is, gay citizens pay taxes on municipal services (roads, police and fire departments, code enforcement, sewer, etc., etc.), that these bigoted business have the benefit of using.
Bob LaBlah
@Ander: That’s why I tell gay men to join the party. Don’t get mad, get even. People like a smile and who else can be “sweeter” than us? We already have a head start and don’t realize it.
Sluggo2007
It’s Missouri, for God’s sake! Who cares? Nobody wants to go there anyway.
Dinodogstar
The MO Senator’s name is Dr. Bob Onder
HERE ARE THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR’S CONTACT INFO:
His FACEBOOK page : Dr. Bob Onder
His TWITTER ACCOUNT: Bob Onder @BobOnderMO
The actual proposed measure: SJR39
#SJR39
Contact the supporter, Lt Gov Peter Kinder
His twitter account: @PeterKinder