Mississippi Latest State to Challenge LGBT Rights with Religious Freedom Bill

Last week, Mississippi's governor approved a bill that will allow businesses and religious organizations to deny service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. A similar piece of legislation was recently passed in North Carolina and another was narrowly vetoed in Georgia. Proponents claim that these bills protect individuals and institutions from violating their religious freedom. But critics argue that the bills legalize discrimination against the LGBT community. The controversy has also generated an economic backlash as several companies have announced plans to withdraw expansions into these states.