Mississippi Survey Released Today Shows Nearly Two-Thirds Support Protection from Government Discrimination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2016
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, (866) FRC-NEWS or (866)-372-6397

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Mississippi legislature gave final approval to HB 1523, the “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act.” Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement regarding a new survey showing 63 percent of Mississippi voters oppose government discrimination of individuals and organizations because of their belief in marriage as the union of a man and a woman:

“Lawmakers should be very encouraged by the overwhelming, bipartisan support among Mississippi voters for legislation that ensures the government does not discriminate against individuals and organizations because of their belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.

“Mississippians of all ages and political persuasions agree with state leaders that no one should be punished by the government with crippling fines simply for believing what President Obama believed just a few years ago.

“Big business and Hollywood have engaged in economic blackmail in Mississippi just like they have in states like Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas.   However, unlike Indiana and Georgia, leaders in Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas have shown that when a strong majority of legislators stand up for the freedom to believe and the freedom to live according to those beliefs, the threats of big business prove empty. Now we know where the voters in Mississippi stand, and we stand with them.

“Long-term, political leaders who refuse to sacrifice fundamental freedoms under the threats of big business and big entertainment are rewarded with support of voters as their states find such policies lead to stronger economies, stronger communities and stronger families,” concluded Perkins.

Click here for poll released today showing Mississippi voters want to protect pastors, churches, schools, and businesses from government discrimination.

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