Mississippi governor signs law allowing service denial to gay couples

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Tuesday signed a far-reaching law allowing people with religious objections to deny wedding services to same-sex couples and protecting other actions considered discriminatory by gay rights activists.

The measure also clears the way for employers to cite religion in determining workplace policies on dress code, grooming and bathroom and locker access.

Bryant, a Republican, said in a statement he signed the law "to protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of individuals, organizations and private associations from discriminatory action by state government."

Mississippi is the latest state to drawnational protest for a law seen as anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. North Carolina recently barred transgender people from choosing bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.

Tennessee is considering similar legislation related to school bathrooms, and civil rights groups are watching a Missouri measure seen as discriminatory. Last week, the governors of Georgia and Virginia vetoed "religious liberty" bills.

The latest wave of measures, pushed by social conservatives, came after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that legalized same-sex marriage.

'A sad day'

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the Mississippi law, which it said was set to take effect in July.

"This is a sad day for the state of Mississippi and for the thousands of Mississippians who can now be turned away from businesses, refused marriage licences, or denied housing, essential services and needed care based on who they are," said Jennifer Riley-Collins, executive director of the ACLU of Mississippi, in a statement.

The ACLU, which is involved in a federal lawsuit challengingthe North Carolina law, said it was considering its next steps in Mississippi.

Pushback from businesses

The U.S. business community has been pushing back against such legislation.

On Tuesday, PayPal Holdingscancelled plans to open a global operations center in Charlotte, N.C., and invest $3.6 million US in the area over its new law.

In a letter dated March 29, founders and chief executives of more than 100 companies, including Apple, Twitter and Alphabet urged North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory to repeal the legislation.